[2026 Latest] Survey on the Reality of "Stumbling Blocks and Practice" in Ending Notes

Survey Topics

Q1. What was the first thing that made you aware of ending notes?

Q2. Regarding ending notes, please choose the option that best describes your current situation.

Q3. What do you think is the biggest benefit of writing an ending note?

Q4. What was the closest trigger or reason for you to decide to write an ending note?

Q5. Please choose the items included in an ending note that you are not familiar with.

Q6. Among the items above, which ones did you stumble upon or feel you might stumble upon?

Q7. What is the reason you stumbled or feel you might stumble?

Q8. Have you ever talked to or consulted anyone about writing an ending note?

Q9. Were you aware that you could proceed with writing an ending note with the support of an expert?

Q10. What kind of support do you think would be "most helpful" to smoothly proceed with writing an ending note?

Key Points

Over half of ending note awareness comes from media, with limited face-to-face contact.

In Q1, "media such as TV, magazines, and the internet" accounted for 57.7%, significantly exceeding "through seminars, courses, and qualification studies" (26.6%). On the other hand, awareness via local governments, medical institutions, and insurance companies remained at 3.0%, suggesting that the entry point for awareness may be biased towards media.

Only 4.4% "have and are writing," indicating a significant gap between awareness and practice.

In Q2, 54.1% answered "haven't thought about it yet" and 35.5% answered "don't have one but plan to write someday," totaling about 90% who have not yet started. There is a large difference from the 4.4% who are actually writing, suggesting a reality where awareness does not lead to action.

"Digital data organization" is the most unknown item.

In Q5, "digital data (SNS, passwords, etc.) organization" was the highest at 27.8%, followed by "know all items" at 26.1%. This suggests that the digital domain may not be sufficiently recognized as an item in ending notes.

The biggest reason for stumbling is "not knowing how to write."

In Q7, "don't know what to write or how much to write" was the most common at 34.9%, followed by "feel it's too early" (23.6%) and "necessary information doesn't come out easily" (15.6%). This suggests that the lack of clear guidelines on how to write is at the core of the stumbling blocks.

Over 70% have not consulted anyone, and less than 20% are aware of expert support.

In Q8, 72.4% answered "have never talked to anyone," and in Q9, 49.2% answered "didn't know," revealing a situation where neither consultation nor awareness of support information is progressing. This suggests that many people may be forced to tackle it in isolation.

Survey Results

Q1. What was the first thing that made you aware of ending notes?

Recommended by family or acquaintances 12.7%

Through seminars, courses, and qualification studies 26.6%

Media such as TV, magazines, and the internet 57.7%

Notified by local governments, medical institutions, insurance companies, etc. 3.0%

"Media such as TV, magazines, and the internet" accounted for 57.7%, making it the highest result. This was followed by "through seminars, courses, and qualification studies" (26.6%) and "recommended by family or acquaintances" (12.7%). "Notified by local governments, medical institutions, insurance companies, etc." remained at 3.0%, suggesting that awareness via public institutions and businesses may be limited.

Q2. Regarding ending notes, please choose the option that best describes your current situation.

Have and are writing (even if in progress) 4.4%

Have but have hardly written 6.1%

Don't have but plan to write someday 35.5%

Haven't thought about it yet 54.1%

"Haven't thought about it yet" was the most common at 54.1%, and combined with "don't have one but plan to write someday" (35.5%), about 90% have not yet started. The percentage of respondents who answered "are writing" remained at 4.4%, suggesting that even among those who are aware, many have not yet put it into practice.

Q3. What do you think is the biggest benefit of writing an ending note?

Reduce the burden on family and those around me 32.4%

Clearly convey my wishes and desires 27.0%

Smooth out procedures in case of emergency 14.8%

Organize my own feelings 25.7%

"Reduce the burden on family and those around me" was the highest at 32.4%, followed by "clearly convey my wishes and desires."