The Nippon Foundation's 18-Year-Old Awareness Survey Results: 81st Survey on "Regional Revitalization (Inter-regional Comparative Survey)"

Amidst the government's "Regional Revitalization and Regional Future Strategy" aimed at correcting the concentration of population in Tokyo and achieving a strong economy, The Nippon Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Takeju Ogata) conducted an awareness survey of 18-year-olds in May on the theme of "Regional Revitalization." The survey divided the country into four types of areas: core areas of the three major metropolitan areas, surrounding areas of the three major metropolitan areas, core areas of regional areas, and surrounding areas of regional areas. A total of 4,700 people, 100 from each prefecture, were asked about the importance and satisfaction levels of population and regional revitalization initiatives in their areas of residence.

First, regarding views on the population of their current residential area. In all regions, the combined total of "it would be better if it increased" and "it would be better if it remained the same" exceeded 80%. The response "it would be better if it increased" was higher in regional areas than in the three major metropolitan areas, with surrounding areas of regional areas, which are experiencing significant population decline and outflow, showing 43%, nearly double the figure for the core areas of the three major metropolitan areas. The highest proportion of respondents who wish to "continue living in their current residential area" was found among men in the surrounding areas of the three major metropolitan areas and women in the core areas of the three major metropolitan areas. Notably, 80% of women living in the core areas of the three major metropolitan areas wish to continue living there, a figure 15% higher than that for men.

The survey also broadly inquired about the importance and satisfaction levels of initiatives addressing the challenges faced by each residential area. Among these, "preparation for natural disasters," which are increasing due to global warming and whose damage is becoming more severe. While nearly 90% responded that it is "important," including "somewhat important," the satisfaction with current measures remains low at around 20%. This is particularly noticeable in regional areas, where the satisfaction among women in both core and surrounding areas remains in the teens.

Next, regarding "creation of attractive regional universities and establishment of regional bases for universities in major metropolitan areas" to promote the settlement of young people in regional areas. While high proportions of both men and women responded that it is "important" in regional areas, satisfaction levels showed variation, with men reporting the lowest satisfaction in the surrounding areas of major metropolitan areas and women in the surrounding areas of regional areas.

In addition, regarding "support measures for areas with doctor shortages and training of medical personnel," which are notably lacking due to increased medical demand in recent years. Higher proportions of respondents in regional areas than in the three major metropolitan areas recognized its importance. Satisfaction levels were around 20% in all regions, with the lowest figures for both men and women in the surrounding areas of regional areas, suggesting a delay in countermeasures.

Furthermore, regarding "development of childcare facilities and creation of places for children to gather" related to "child-rearing." While regional differences in importance and satisfaction are relatively small, for women only, the importance in both core and surrounding areas of regional areas exceeds 70%, while satisfaction is around 20%, indicating a significant gap between the two.

More detailed data and graphs, including analysis of prefectures with large gaps between importance and satisfaction, are available in the report. Please refer to it.

[Survey Results Excerpts]

● Views on Population (by Urban Type)

● Views on Population (by Prefecture)

* "It would be better if it increased." The number of respondents (n) for each prefecture is 100.

● Intention to Continue Living (by Urban Type)

● Intention to Continue Living (by Prefecture)

* "I want to continue living here" + "I somewhat want to continue living here." The number of respondents (n) for each prefecture is 100.

● Importance of Initiatives in Residential Area (by Prefecture) * "I think it is important" + "I somewhat think it is important." The number of respondents (n) for each prefecture is 100. Initiative 1: Utilization of unique regional attractions such as food culture, history, and scenery to attract tourists to the region

Initiative 5: Creation of attractive regional universities and establishment of regional bases for universities in major metropolitan areas to promote the settlement of young people in regional areas

● Satisfaction with Initiatives in Residential Area (by Prefecture) * "Satisfied" + "Somewhat satisfied." The number of respondents (n) for each prefecture is 100. Initiative 5: Creation of attractive regional universities and establishment of regional bases for universities in major metropolitan areas to promote the settlement of young people in regional areas

Initiative 7: Training of personnel essential for maintaining social infrastructure such as medical care, welfare, childcare, logistics, and retail

● Gap between Importance and Satisfaction of Initiatives in Residential Area (by Prefecture) * The difference (gap) between the total of "I think it is important" and "I somewhat think it is important" and the total of "Satisfied" and "Somewhat satisfied." The number of respondents (n) for each prefecture is 100. Initiative 4: Development of childcare facilities and creation of places for children to gather, aiming to be a region chosen by families with children

Initiative 15: Thorough pre-disaster prevention and preventive maintenance of infrastructure to prepare for natural disasters that are becoming more severe and frequent

Survey Overview

81st 18-Year-Old Awareness Survey "Regional Revitalization (Inter-regional Comparative Survey)"

Target Audience: 4,700 males and females aged 16-19 from 47 prefectures (priority given to ages 17-19).

Survey Period: May 14 (Thu), 2026 - May 20 (Wed), 2026

Survey Method: Internet Survey

For detailed survey results, please refer to the report.

https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/who/news/pr/2026/20260701-122931.html

What is the 18-Year-Old Awareness Survey?

With the revision of the Civil Code, the age of majority also became 18 in April 2022, and the importance of understanding and recording the consciousness of 18-year-olds, who will bear the next generation, is increasing. Triggered by the lowering of the voting age, The Nippon Foundation has been continuously surveying the values, attitudes towards politics and elections, and understanding of social issues among young people around the age of 18 since October 2018. For details on the 18-Year-Old Awareness Survey, including past survey results, please refer to the following:

https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/eighteen_survey

About The Nippon Foundation

Pain, hope, future, together.

Founded in 1962 as Japan's largest foundation,

The Nippon Foundation promotes activities in a wide range of fields, including children, persons with disabilities, disaster relief, maritime affairs, and humanitarian aid, transcending race and borders, funded by grants from boat race proceeds. https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/