Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds – Lowering Age of Adulthood / International Survey on Society and CountryResults of 45th and 46th installments announced

The 45th installment of the Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds, launched by The Nippon Foundation in October 2018, was carried out from January 25 to 30 on the subject of “Lowering the Age of Adulthood.” The survey of 1,000 respondents in Japan found that although more than 90% were aware of the legal revisions taking effect April 1 that will lower the age of legal adulthood to 18 from 20 for a range of activities, only roughly 60% were aware of the specific provisions including 18-year-olds being able to conclude contracts and to marry without parental consent, and only 33% were aware that 18-year-olds could be selected as lay judges. In addition, 36% of respondents felt that the legal age for being able to conclude contracts should be raised.

The 46th installment, “Awareness Survey of Society and Country,” was carried out from January 26 to February 8 among 1,000 respondents each in six countries: China, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This was an expanded follow-up to the 20th survey, carried out in nine countries in late 2019 prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. As in the previous survey, Japanese respondents once again ranked lowest among the six countries in their expectations that their country’s future would improve and economic competitiveness would strengthen, indicating a trend of pessimism regarding Japan’s future. With regard to the pandemic, roughly one in five Japanese respondents and roughly one in two Chinese respondents indicated a greater desire to do something useful for their country and society compared with prior to the pandemic, suggesting an increased awareness of social participation in all countries.

Highlights of the Awareness Survey of Society and Country (2022)

Japanese respondents ranked lowest in response to all questions regarding their own country’s future

  • Responded “It will improve” with regard to their country’s future: Japan – 13.9%; United States – 36.1%; China – 95.7%
  • Responded “It will significantly strengthen” or “It will strengthen” with regard to their country’s future economic competitiveness: Japan – 10.9%; United States – 27.4%; China – 89.7%

Japanese respondents also ranked lowest in evaluations of their own country and awareness of social participation

  • My country can take a leadership role in the international community: Japan – 22.8%; United States – 61.5%; China – 86.0%
  • I think I am mature: Japan – 27.3%; United States – 85.7%; China – 71.0%

Percentage of respondents replying that their country’s future would “improve”

Bar chart showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the question, “How do you view your country’s future?”, the percentage of respondents replying “It will improve” was 95.7% for China, 83.1% for India, 39.1% for the United Kingdom, 36.1% for the United States, 33.8% for South Korea, and 13.9% for Japan. (n = 1,000 for each country)

Percentage of respondents replying “yes” to statements related to awareness of social participation

Graph showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the statement, “I think I am mature,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 27.3% for Japan, 85.7% for the United States, 85.9% for the United Kingdom, 71.0% for China, 46.7% for South Korea, and 83.7% for India. In response to the statement, “I see myself as a responsible member of society,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 48.4% for Japan, 77.1% for the United States, 79.9% for the United Kingdom, 77.1% for China, 65.7% for South Korea, and 82.8% for India. In response to the statement, “I believe that I can change my country and society through my actions,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 26.9% for Japan, 58.5% for the United States, 50.6% for the United Kingdom, 70.9% for China, 61.5% for South Korea, and 78.9% for India. In response to the statement, “I want to do something useful for my country and society,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 61.7% for Japan, 73.0% for the United States, 71.2% for the United Kingdom, 82.1% for China, 75.2% for South Korea, and 92.6% for India. In response to the statement, “I want to make a donation to a charity,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 36.2% for Japan, 66.7% for the United States, 69.5% for the United Kingdom, 78.9% for China, 62.4% for South Korea, and 83.7% for India. In response to the statement, “I want to participate in volunteer activities,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 49.7% for Japan, 70.4% for the United States, 64.2% for the United Kingdom, 85.3% for China, 70.7% for South Korea, and 78.1% for India. (n = 1,000 for each country for each statement)

Percentage of respondents replying “yes” to statements regarding their awareness of political participation

Graph showing results from Awareness Survey of 18-Year-Olds: In response to the statement, “I think politics and elections affect my life,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 60.9% for Japan, 64.0% for the United States, 61.4% for the United Kingdom,70.1% for China, 69.5% for South Korea, and 50.6% for India. On the subject of politics, elections, and social issues (four statements total): In response to the statement, “I am interested,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 50.0% for Japan, 51.7% for the United States, 49.7% for the United Kingdom, 66.1% for China, 61.3% for South Korea, and 46.1% for India; in response to the statement, “I have my own ideas,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 42.1% for Japan, 68.5% for the United States, 62.0% for the United Kingdom, 73.3% for China, 61.1% for South Korea, and 64.4% for India; in response to the statement, “I actively gather information,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 29.3% for Japan, 48.5% for the United States, 42.7% for the United Kingdom, 63.1% for China, 46.2% for South Korea, and 52.6% for India; and in response to the statement, “I have discussions with family and friends,” the percentage of respondents replying “Yes” was 34.2% for Japan, 62.1% for the United States, 63.9% for the United Kingdom, 76.6% for China, 64.5% for South Korea, and 65.2% for India. (n = 1,000 for each country for each statement)

Notes:

  1. From the 13th survey, the number of respondents, comprising men and women aged 17 to 19, has been increased to 1,000 from 800.
  2. With the exception of the 20th and 46th installments, “Awareness Survey of Society and Country,” all surveys cover respondents in Japan only.

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  • Email: cc@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp

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