On International Yoga Day (June 21), About 1 in 10 Japanese Practice Yoga: Female Market Expands, Driven by Women in Their 20s

Livewell World LLC (Representative: Kenta Nakano) has released the 'White Paper on Yoga and Meditation in Japan 2026,' summarizing the results of nationwide surveys conducted in 2023 and 2026.

The survey targeted men and women aged 15 and over across Japan, with a total sample size of 8,000 participants.

The findings reveal that approximately one in ten Japanese people practices yoga, the female market is expanding, and the number of meditation practitioners has surpassed that of yoga practitioners.

Additionally, 40.6% of yoga practitioners reported having experienced physical discomfort, highlighting increased concern for safety and instructional quality.

Key findings from the survey:

① About one in ten Japanese people practices yoga

In the 2026 survey, the yoga practice rate was 9.7%.

When applied to Japan’s population aged 15 and over, this equates to over 10 million people practicing yoga.

By gender:

- Women: 13.0%

- Men: 7.0%

Women practice yoga at nearly twice the rate of men. This trend has remained largely unchanged since the 2023 survey.

② The female market is expanding

The yoga practice rate among women increased from:

- 2023: 15.8%

- 2026: 17.3%

In particular, among women in their 20s, the rate rose significantly from 17.7% to 26.8%.

The survey confirms that women in their 20s are driving market growth.

③ Meditation practitioners outnumber yoga practitioners

In the 2026 survey:

- Yoga practice rate: 9.7%

- Meditation practice rate: 11.9%

Estimated population:

- Yoga practitioners: approx. 10.7 million

- Meditation practitioners: approx. 13.1 million

Meditation practitioners now outnumber yoga practitioners.

The 2023 survey also showed a similar trend:

- Yoga: 10.0%

- Meditation: 11.6%

④ Meditation among women is growing rapidly

The meditation practice rate among women increased from:

- 2023: 14.9%

- 2026: 18.6%

Among women in their 20s, the rate reached 31.4%, meaning about one in three practices meditation.

While men had a higher meditation rate in 2023, women are now leading market growth.

⑤ 40.6% of yoga practitioners have experienced physical discomfort

Among female yoga practitioners, 40.6% reported experiencing physical discomfort due to yoga.

By age group:

- Women in their 20s: 48.1%

- Women in their 30s: 50.3%

Approximately half of women in these age groups have experienced physical issues.

⑥ The yoga market is maturing, not declining

The survey indicates that the yoga market is not declining, but maturing.

Yoga and meditation are becoming established as part of daily health routines in Japan.

However, participants now place greater emphasis on:

- Lesson quality

- Safety

- Professionalism

The future will demand not just yoga offerings, but safe and high-quality instruction.

About the White Paper

The survey results are published as the 'White Paper on Yoga and Meditation in Japan 2026.'

The white paper provides detailed analysis on:

- Trends in yoga participation

- Changes in the female market

- Behavior of women in their 20s

- Growth of the meditation market

- Physical issues related to yoga

- Changes in lesson selection criteria

Survey Overview

Survey name: Survey on Yoga and Meditation Trends in Japan

Survey period: 2023, 2026

Target: Men and women aged 15 and over nationwide

Method: Online survey

Total sample size: 8,000

Conducted by: Livewell World LLC

Attached materials

- Yoga Trends in Japan 2026

d184673-1-44fdcc6b0b2473f78de238d5799d0d17.pdf

- White Paper on Yoga and Meditation in Japan 2026

d184673-1-8c99d50373ba5cded63c924a0060b8dd.pdf

Company Overview

Company name: Livewell World LLC

Representative: Kenta Nakano

Business: Operation of yoga teacher training school 'LIVEWELL INSTITUTE,' BOWSPRING YOGA education

Inquiries

Livewell World LLC

Contact: Hiroshima

TEL: 0120-420-840

E-mail: institute@livewellworld.com

Web: https://www.livewell-institute.com/