Over 90% are anxious about "savings alone." Meanwhile, the biggest investment fear is "capital loss."

The "Real Estate Investment Square" website, which enriches lives through real estate investment (operated by Clearthlife Co., Ltd.), surveyed 188 individuals nationwide aged 20-59 who are engaged in asset formation, asking about their thoughts on investment and savings for retirement, their information sources, and the methods they are considering for the future. In this survey targeting those with asset formation experience, the majority cited "capital loss" as their greatest anxiety, despite having investment experience. While investment practices are advancing with the spread of systems, consumer psychology remains strongly cautious, revealing a high need for stability and diversification. Asset formation is shifting from an "era of starting" to an "era of continuing while facing anxieties." Going forward, it is becoming more important to present options that include not only profitability but also medium- to long-term stability and ease of continuation. ## 1. Background and Environmental Changes Leading to Awareness of Asset Formation All respondents in this survey have engaged in asset formation through some means within the past year. Against a backdrop of rising prices and future anxieties, more people are viewing asset formation as a realistic necessity. Question: In response to recent price increases, to what extent do you feel the burden on your household finances? Please choose the closest option. Regarding the financial burden due to price increases, 90.5% answered "feel very much" or "feel somewhat," indicating that the current rise in living costs is a tangible burden for many respondents. It is thought that these daily financial burdens strongly influence the interest in asset formation. Question: Have you come to feel the necessity of asset formation more strongly than before in response to rising prices and interest rates? Please choose the closest option. 87.3% of respondents felt the necessity of asset formation, with a majority feeling its need more strongly than before due to rising prices and interest rates. A notable point is that beyond feeling the burden, this has triggered an awareness of the "necessity of preparation." Question: Considering the current social environment in Japan, do you feel anxious about preparing for the future with only savings? Please choose the closest option. Anxiety about preparing for the future with only savings is very strong, with 90.4% answering "feel very much" or "feel somewhat," nearly matching the proportion who feel the burden of high prices. This suggests a widespread recognition that a cash-centric approach alone is insufficient in the current social environment. ## 2. Views and Psychology Regarding Asset Formation While interest in asset formation is growing, emphasis is placed not only on profitability but also on a prudent perspective that considers stability and anxieties about losses. Question: Please select all the methods of asset formation you have undertaken within the past year. NISA operations were the highest at over half, and savings accounts were also around half, indicating a trend of steady asset formation by combining investments utilizing systems with safe assets. Question: When choosing a method of asset formation, what factors do you prioritize? Please select all that apply. Prioritized factors when choosing asset formation methods were "long-term stability," "low risk of capital loss," and "possibility to start with small amounts." Rather than high returns, the emphasis is on what can be started without strain and continued easily over time, reflecting a strong inclination towards prudence. Question: Regarding your future asset formation, which of the following statements best describes your thinking? Please choose the closest option. Regarding future asset formation, "prioritize stability" was the most common response, followed by "want to be more conscious of diversification." "Prioritize profitability" was relatively less frequent, with the overall result indicating a strong intention to prepare stably while minimizing risk, rather than pursuing aggressive gains. Question: In the past year, has the amount or allocation of funds for asset formation changed? Over half of respondents indicated that the amount or allocation of funds for asset formation has "not changed" in the past year. On the other hand, combining "increased" and "somewhat increased" yields 42.6%, suggesting that while maintaining the status quo is the norm, some are actively increasing their contributions. Question: Regarding information gathering for asset formation. Please select all sources you refer to. "News sites" were the most common information source, followed by "TV/Radio," "Bank/Securities Company websites," and "YouTube." Rather than official institutions or expert sites, media outlets encountered in daily life are the primary sources, indicating a tendency to prioritize "familiarity" over "specialization" in information gathering.

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～ For the rest of the survey, please see below ～

■About Clearthlife Co., Ltd.

Clearthlife Co., Ltd. is a company that consistently develops and sells condominiums as its core business, while also offering rental property management and brokerage, building management, and used property sales, covering all aspects of condominium investment. Focusing on urban real estate investment, it provides comprehensive services supporting customers in both housing and asset formation.

■About Real Estate Investment Square

Real Estate Investment Square is an information site for real estate investment and asset formation operated by Clearthlife Co., Ltd. It provides useful information for those considering real estate investment through a wide range of themes, including basic knowledge of real estate investment, asset management, asset formation, taxes, inheritance/gifting, and case studies.

■Useful Information on Asset Formation and Real Estate Investment

Real Estate Investment Square offers the following helpful materials free of charge:

- Basic Guidebook to Real Estate Investment

- Recommended! How to Choose Real Estate Investment

- Real Estate Investment for 30s-40s

- Tax Saving Methods for Inheritance Using Real Estate

Consultations for various concerns, such as interest in real estate investment but wishing to hear third-party opinions, are accepted at the "Square Consultation Room."

Inquiries regarding this release:

Contact: Shimizu, suishin-cl@clearthlifegrp.jp

Keywords: Asset formation, Investment trusts, NISA, iDeCo, Financial assets, Stock investment, Savings, Retirement funds