Rise in 'Passive Home Cooking' Due to Rising Prices: About 40% Say 'Troublesome' or 'Obligation'; Nearly 50% Believe 'It's Not Cooking Unless Using Fire' — Rigid Definitions Undermine Enjoyment of Home Meals <Survey on Current State of Home Cooking Amid Price Hikes>
Key facts
- Rise in 'Passive Home Cooking' Due to Rising Prices: About 40% Say 'Troublesome' or 'Obligation'; Nearly 50% Believe 'It's Not Cooking Unless Using Fire' — Rigid Definitions Undermine Enjoyment of Home Meals <Survey on Current State of Home Cooking Amid Price Hikes>
- Panasonic conducted a survey revealing that about 60% of people are eating more at home due to rising prices, but nearly 40% now view cooking as 'troublesome' or an 'obligation'. Around half exclude appliance-based or processed food use from 'real cooking', while those embracing diverse cooking methods report higher satisfaction.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 17, 2026
Direct answer
Panasonic conducted a survey revealing that about 60% of people are eating more at home due to rising prices, but nearly 40% now view cooking as 'troublesome' or an 'obligation'. Around half exclude appliance-based or processed food use from 'real cooking', while those embracing diverse cooking methods report higher satisfaction.
- Citation
- Rise in 'Passive Home Cooking' Due to Rising Prices: About 40% Say 'Troublesome' or 'Obligation'; Nearly 50% Believe 'It's Not Cooking Unless Using Fire' — Rigid Definitions Undermine Enjoyment of Home Meals <Survey on Current State of Home Cooking Amid Price Hikes> (June 17, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 17, 2026
Panasonic conducted a survey revealing that about 60% of people are eating more at home due to rising prices, but nearly 40% now view cooking as 'troublesome' or an 'obligation'. Around half exclude appliance-based or processed food use from 'real cooking', while those embracing diverse cooking methods report higher satisfaction.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 17, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 16, 2026 at 15:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 16, 2026 at 16:22 (1h 0m after Collected)
Panasonic Corporation conducted a survey targeting 800 men and women across Japan who regularly cook at home, to understand changes in awareness and behavior regarding home cooking (self-cooking) amid recent price inflation.
While rising prices have led to increased home dining, the survey revealed a growing trend of 'passive home cooking'—where people feel cooking has become a 'burden' or 'obligation' they must endure despite no longer enjoying it. In particular, those who strictly define cooking as 'labor-intensive' activities report lower satisfaction under current constrained conditions. Conversely, individuals who accept automated cooking appliances, frozen food modifications, and other convenient methods as 'smart cooking' are more likely to find home cooking meaningful.
With home cooking becoming routine, embracing 'diversity in cooking'—by using automated kitchen appliances and convenient ingredients—has emerged as a key to maintaining a rich food life despite inflation.
● Increase in 'Passive Home Cooking' Due to Rising Prices: Cooking Once Enjoyed Now Feels 'Troublesome' or 'Obligatory'
Approximately 60% feel they eat out less and cook more at home compared to a few years ago.
Over 80% cite 'increased cost-saving awareness due to recent price hikes' as the reason for increased home cooking.
About 40% now hold negative feelings toward cooking, such as 'troublesome' or 'obligation'.
Passive home cooking—cooking 'out of necessity' for saving money—is increasing, leading to declining motivation and enjoyment in self-cooking.
● What Defines 'Cooking'? Nearly 50% Exclude Appliance-Based or Processed Food Use. Could 'Guilt' Over Efficiency Be Hindering Enjoyment?
Regarding perceptions of 'cooking', about half do not consider the following as cooking: 'fire-free cooking using automated cookers or microwaves', 'modifying frozen or retort meals', or 'using convenience ingredients and meal kits'.
15.8% do not consider any of these methods as 'cooking', indicating a strict definition of cooking among a segment of the population.
● Meanwhile, About 80% Are Making Efforts to Make Home Cooking More Meaningful, Finding Satisfaction by Accepting 'Diversity in Cooking' Through Appliance and Convenience Food Use
Approximately 77.6% are making some effort to make home cooking more meaningful.
Top efforts include 'using high-functionality cooking appliances for automated cooking' and 'actively using frozen and convenience foods'.
63.1% feel home cooking is meaningful when they embrace diverse cooking methods.
・Conducted by: Panasonic Corporation
・Survey name: Survey on Home Cooking Amid Price Hikes
・Area: Nationwide (Japan)
・Respondents: 800 men and women aged 20s–50s who 'regularly (3+ times/week) cook at home'
・Survey period: May 14–15, 2026
・Method: Online survey
*When citing results, please credit 'Panasonic survey'.
Rise in 'Passive Home Cooking' Due to Rising Prices: Cooking Once Enjoyed Now Feels 'Troublesome' or 'Obligatory'
Regarding meal habits, 59.6% feel they eat out less and cook more at home compared to a few years ago. Of these, 80.9% attribute this shift to 'increased cost-saving awareness due to recent price hikes'. Amid this trend, while 33.1% still enjoy cooking as before, about 40% (39.6% combined) report psychological or time burdens: 'cooking has increased out of necessity due to cost-saving (19.6%)', 'feel obligated (10.9%)', or 'find it more troublesome (9.1%)'. This suggests a growing trend of 'passive home cooking'—people internally feel they are cooking 'out of necessity' to save money.
What Defines 'Cooking'? Nearly Half Exclude Appliance or Processed Food Use. Could 'Guilt' Over Efficiency Be the Cause?
On the definition of cooking, around 50% consider the following as cooking: 'fire-free cooking using automated cookers or microwaves', 'modifying frozen or retort meals', and 'using convenience ingredients or meal kits'.
Conversely, this means about half do not view these as cooking. Additionally, 15.8% answered that they do not consider any of these as 'cooking', revealing that a significant number hold a strict definition of cooking.
Meanwhile, About 80% Are Making Efforts to Make Home Cooking Meaningful by Embracing 'Diversity in Cooking'
Despite a segment holding strict definitions of cooking, about 77.6% are proactively making efforts to make home cooking more meaningful despite rising prices. The most common efforts include 'actively using frozen and convenience foods to reduce effort (33.4%)', 'seeking new recipes via SNS or cookbooks (26.1%)', and 'using high-functionality cooking appliances for automated cooking (10.0%)'. About 63.1% feel their home cooking has become more meaningful through these efforts. Even when cooking out of necessity, those who accept and wisely use 'diverse cooking methods'—such as kitchen appliances and convenience foods—tend to find home cooking more enjoyable.
● Product Introduction
As more people view self-cooking as an 'obligation' or 'burden' due to rising prices, those who accept 'diversity in cooking'—relying on tools like cooking utensils and automated appliances—tend to enjoy home cooking more. Notably, those using cooking appliances to make cooking more meaningful report higher satisfaction. Here are highlighted products that make daily meals meaningful through smart—not lazy—cooking.
Steam Oven Microwave 'Bistro' NE-UBS10E
Launched in June, this model features an upgraded 'automated grill' function that can cook ingredients—frozen, refrigerated, or room temperature—simply by placing them on the grill tray. A new 'Automated Grill & Soup' function allows grilling on the upper level while simultaneously making soup on the lower level.
Being able to prepare two dishes automatically makes it ideal for busy days.
It can also be used to prepare side dishes or soup in the microwave while cooking the main dish on the stove, helping reduce daily cooking burdens.
Equipped with a high-precision 64-eye speed sensor, it ensures even defrosting and reheating, making it a reliable cooking partner.
Auto Cooker 'Bistro' NF-AC1000
An automated cooking pot capable of various cooking methods—simmering, stir-frying, steaming, low-temperature cooking, and pan-frying—thanks to 'high heat', 'high pressure', and 'bottom stirring'.
Each recipe is developed by Panasonic Cooking@Lab, leveraging food science knowledge through repeated testing to optimize ingredient quantities and cooking programs.
For example, time-consuming stews or caramelized onions requiring constant attention can be left to the Auto Cooker, freeing you to prepare other dishes in the meantime.
FAQ
What is 'passive home cooking'?
Cooking at home out of necessity for saving money, while feeling it is 'troublesome' or an 'obligation'.
What does 'diversity in cooking' mean?
Broadening the definition of cooking to include appliance use, frozen food modifications, and meal kits.
How does using cooking appliances affect satisfaction?
63.1% feel home cooking is meaningful when using high-functionality appliances.
What products does Panasonic recommend?
Steam Oven Microwave 'Bistro' and Auto Cooker 'Bistro' that support automated cooking.
Who was surveyed?
800 men and women nationwide, aged 20s–50s, who cook at home 3+ times a week.