82% of Business Professionals Feel Meetings are 'Wasteful, Too Long, or Indecisive.' Top Method for Productivity: 'Clarifying Goals and Objectives.'
A survey of 150 employees in Japan, conducted by NEXER and 'Mirai-Touch Biz,' reveals that 82% feel meetings are inefficient. The lack of clear goals was identified as the leading cause, while setup times exceeding 10 minutes were also noted as a bottleneck. Productivity can be significantly improved by defining objectives beforehand.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 18, 2026 at 14:01 (30 min after Collected)
## Survey: The Reality of Meeting Inefficiency in Japanese Workplaces
### Inefficiency Stemming from Unclear Goals
For many organizations, meetings are central to decision-making and information sharing. However, many participants feel they end without a conclusion or simply consume time. Digital whiteboard provider 'Mirai-Touch Biz,' in collaboration with NEXER Co., Ltd., conducted an online survey targeting 150 men and women nationwide who attend corporate meetings.
### Key Findings:
- **82.0%** have felt that meetings were 'wasteful, too long, or failed to reach a conclusion.'
- **18.0%** have not experienced such issues.
This high percentage indicates that while meetings are meant to accelerate decision-making, most business professionals fail to achieve the expected results.
### Primary Causes of Inefficiency:
When asked about the causes of inefficiency (multiple answers allowed):
1. **Unclear Purpose/Goals:** 54.5%
2. **Lack of Preparation:** 43.1%
3. **Misalignment in Information Sharing:** 35.0%
### Voice of Participants:
- *Regarding Unclear Goals:* "Sometimes it feels like everyone attending hates meetings and just wants them to end quickly." (30s, Male)
- *Regarding Lack of Preparation:* "Arguments get derailed because the organizer didn't prepare the agenda or the necessary data beforehand." (60s, Male)
- *Regarding Setup Time:* **35.3%** of respondents stated it takes **10 minutes or more** to prepare a meeting room before the session begins.
### Path to Higher Productivity
The top recommendation for improving productivity is the 'Clarification of Purpose and Goals.' Respondents believe that aligning everyone's understanding before the meeting is crucial for success. Improving efficiency is expected to lead to shorter work hours and faster decision-making cycles across the entire business.
### Inefficiency Stemming from Unclear Goals
For many organizations, meetings are central to decision-making and information sharing. However, many participants feel they end without a conclusion or simply consume time. Digital whiteboard provider 'Mirai-Touch Biz,' in collaboration with NEXER Co., Ltd., conducted an online survey targeting 150 men and women nationwide who attend corporate meetings.
### Key Findings:
- **82.0%** have felt that meetings were 'wasteful, too long, or failed to reach a conclusion.'
- **18.0%** have not experienced such issues.
This high percentage indicates that while meetings are meant to accelerate decision-making, most business professionals fail to achieve the expected results.
### Primary Causes of Inefficiency:
When asked about the causes of inefficiency (multiple answers allowed):
1. **Unclear Purpose/Goals:** 54.5%
2. **Lack of Preparation:** 43.1%
3. **Misalignment in Information Sharing:** 35.0%
### Voice of Participants:
- *Regarding Unclear Goals:* "Sometimes it feels like everyone attending hates meetings and just wants them to end quickly." (30s, Male)
- *Regarding Lack of Preparation:* "Arguments get derailed because the organizer didn't prepare the agenda or the necessary data beforehand." (60s, Male)
- *Regarding Setup Time:* **35.3%** of respondents stated it takes **10 minutes or more** to prepare a meeting room before the session begins.
### Path to Higher Productivity
The top recommendation for improving productivity is the 'Clarification of Purpose and Goals.' Respondents believe that aligning everyone's understanding before the meeting is crucial for success. Improving efficiency is expected to lead to shorter work hours and faster decision-making cycles across the entire business.
FAQ
Why are business meetings so long?
The primary reason is the lack of clear objectives and goals, cited by over 54% of survey respondents.
How long does it take to set up a meeting room?
About 35% of participants spend more than 10 minutes on technical and room setup before meetings begin.
What is the best way to improve meeting quality?
The most effective method is clarifying the purpose and expected outcomes (goals) before the meeting starts.