80% Interested in 'Health Mahjong,' 10% Have Experience: Expectations for 'Brain Health' and 'Community Building'

The 'Asahi Shimbun Re-Life Project,' a media community for those aged 50 and over operated by The Asahi Shimbun Company (Representative Director and CEO: Katsu Tsunoda), conducted a survey regarding awareness and actual practices concerning 'Health Mahjong.' The survey revealed a high level of interest, with 61.8% of respondents stating they 'know' about Health Mahjong, and 78.3% expressing interest when combining those who are 'very interested' and 'somewhat interested.' Among those interested, expectations regarding brain function were particularly high, with judgment, concentration, and memory being the most frequently selected benefits. On the other hand, only 11.4% of respondents stated they 'actually participate in Health Mahjong,' and the survey highlighted that a lack of understanding—with 37.6% stating they 'do not know the rules at all'—is a barrier to participation.

The survey was conducted between September and October 2025, targeting members of the Re-Life Project's 'Reader Conference' community, and received 932 responses, primarily from people in their 50s to 70s. It explored the interests and expectations that 'Re-Life Reader Conference members,' who enjoy the second half of their lives in their own way, have regarding Health Mahjong.

(1) 61.8% 'Know' About 'Health Mahjong'; 78.3% Are 'Interested' 61.8% of respondents answered that they 'know about Health Mahjong.' Conversely, 38.2% said they 'did not know,' indicating that while there is a certain level of awareness, there is still room for it to spread. Regarding interest, 30.9% said they are 'very interested' and 47.4% are 'somewhat interested,' showing a total of 78.3% expressing interest.

(2) Background of Interest: Expectations for 'Judgment, Concentration, and Memory'; Value as a Place for Social Interaction Also Emerges Among the 730 people who answered they are 'very' or 'somewhat' interested in Health Mahjong, the top expectations (multiple answers allowed) were 'using judgment' (571 people), 'using concentration' (489 people), and 'using memory' (476 people). 'Useful for making friends' (394 people) was also a common response, highlighting its aspect as a place for social interaction where new connections with neighbors can be formed.

Meanwhile, for the 202 people who are not interested in Health Mahjong, the reasons (multiple answers allowed) were led by 'the rules seem difficult' (70 people), followed by 'have a negative image of mahjong' (64 people) and 'did not know about Health Mahjong' (64 people).

(3) Participation Remains at 11.4%, While About 40% 'Learn Rules While Participating' 106 people (11.4%) answered that they 'actually participate in Health Mahjong.' Among them, 50.0% said they 'understand it almost perfectly,' while 40.6% said they 'have some anxious parts but can participate while asking others.' This suggests that in Health Mahjong, participants learn the rules and how to enjoy the game by asking and being taught by fellow players while actually participating.

Regarding rule comprehension, 157 people (16.8%) said they 'understand almost perfectly.' 235 people (25.2%) said they 'have some anxious parts but can participate while asking others,' and 190 people (20.4%) said they 'understand some parts.' The largest group, 350 people (37.6%), said they 'do not know the rules at all.'

(4) Women Tend to Have Higher Interest Than Men, But Face Greater Psychological Hurdles The percentage of respondents who answered they are 'very interested' was 37.2% for women and 25.5% for men. While women have higher interest, they also tended to face higher psychological hurdles than men, such as 'the rules are difficult,' 'I don't know the etiquette,' and 'I don't know where I can play.'

(5) We asked those who have participated in Health Mahjong about what they enjoyed and why it was fun. Here are some excerpts: - 'The mahjong class that was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic has resumed, and I am attending. It seems like something that could be done online, but it is fun to be able to do it while talking face-to-face.' (Tokyo, Female, 60s) - 'I play about once a month with colleagues I worked with when I was active. As a hobby for my later years, it feels like brain training, including concentration, judgment, and finger dexterity.' (Kanagawa, 85+, Male) - 'In my student days, it was mostly men, and I had an unhealthy image of smoke-filled rooms and playing all night. I never went near it, but two years ago, a Health Mahjong course was held in my area, and I started. Once, when I had a pile of worries, I realized later that I had completely forgotten about them during the two hours of the Health Mahjong class, and I realized the importance of such time.' (Tokyo, 60s, Female)

*For details of the survey, please refer to the following: [Re-Life White Paper] How do you deal with 'Health Mahjong'—no drinking, no gambling, no smoking? From the Re-Life Reader Conference survey: 'Some start as a hobby—have you ever played 'Health Mahjong'? '

*This survey was conducted as a 'Survey on Health Mahjong' targeting members of the Re-Life Reader Conference. The survey period was from September 24 to October 14, 2025, with 932 valid responses (51.0% male, 47.6% female, 1.4% other). The age breakdown is: 40s and under = 10.2%, 50s = 19.2%, 60s = 38.8%, 70s = 24.6%, 80 and over = 7.1%.

[Editorial Comment] This time, we introduced the results of a survey on 'Health Mahjong.' When it comes to mahjong, there may be quite a few people who have an image of 'gambling' or 'cigarette smoke and clattering sounds.' On the other hand, this survey suggests that Health Mahjong is gaining a certain level of social acceptance as a 'mind sport' and a 'means of communication.' While about 80% of respondents said they were 'interested,' only about 10% are actually participating. There is an image that 'the rules seem difficult,' and it seems many people are just getting started with actually participating or learning the rules.

In this survey, we also asked about 'Health Mahjong' projects that people would like the Re-Life Project to carry out. As a result, many voices requested Health Mahjong classes for beginners and novices. Based on these opinions, we will hold Health Mahjong classes for beginners/novices. The Re-Life Project intends to continue actively conducting projects and events based on the opinions of Reader Conference members collected through surveys and other means. Please stay tuned.

Check here for details ([Event] Born from the voices of 'I want to try' - Re-Life Health Mahjong Class). (Applications for participation are open until April 20.) (The Asahi Shimbun Re-Life Project, Haruka Hiramatsu)