How much do we actually move? Achievement rate of physical activity levels recommended by the MHLW is 46.6% (preliminary report)

The Sasakawa Sports Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazutoshi Watanabe) and the Meiji Yasuda Institute of Health and Welfare (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshio Namai) have announced the preliminary results of the '2025 Survey on Physical Activity and Sports Reality Using Activity Trackers,' conducted in November 2025. In January 2024, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (hereinafter MHLW) introduced the 'New Recommended Physical Activity Levels for Health Promotion' within the 'Physical Activity and Exercise Guide for Health Promotion 2023' (hereinafter Physical Activity Guide 2023). However, a challenge remained in that there was a lack of objective, nationwide, and representative data regarding physical activity levels, making it difficult to clearly understand how much the public is actually moving. To address this, since fiscal year 2023, the organizations have been conducting joint research aimed at grasping the reality of physical activity in Japan. This involves using 'activity trackers' capable of measuring time spent on physical activity, activity intensity, and sedentary time in detail, alongside questionnaires on sports participation status. The survey has been conducted across 200 locations in all 47 prefectures since fiscal year 2024. In the latest survey conducted in fiscal year 2025, the overall achievement rate of the recommended daily physical activity levels set by the Physical Activity Guide 2023 was 46.6%. ▼ Official Website https://www.ssf.or.jp/thinktank/health_wellbeing/my-zaidan2025.html ■ What is physical activity? It refers to 'all movements that consume more energy than being at rest.' Low-intensity physical activity includes standing work and general household chores in daily life, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity includes climbing stairs and general exercise or sports. The Physical Activity Guide 2023 provides standards for physical activity of 3 METs* or more (walking, gardening, playing with children, swimming, etc.). * METs: A unit of 'activity intensity' indicating 'how many times more energy is consumed compared to the resting state.' Walking is 3 METs, brisk walking is 4.5 METs, and running is 10 METs. If you run for 3 hours a week, it is 10 METs x 3 hours = 30 METs-hours/week. --- ■ Key Points of the Survey Results - The achievement rate of the recommended physical activity levels for health promotion defined by the MHLW Physical Activity Guide 2023 (Adults: 60 minutes/day, Elderly: 40 minutes/day) was 46.6% overall, showing no significant difference compared to the fiscal 2024 survey (47.9%). - The achievement rate for adults (20-64 years old) was 44.7%, and for the elderly (65 and older) was 53.3%, with adults falling below 50%. - The number of steps per day was 6,648, and sedentary behavior time was 8.8 hours. 1. Achievement rate of recommended physical activity levels defined by MHLW Physical Activity Guide 2023 is 46.6% Physical activity amount equivalent to walking or more (intensity of 3 METs or higher) recommended by the 'Physical Activity Guide 2023' - Adults (20-64 years): 60 minutes or more per day (≒ approx. 8,000 steps or more per day ≒ 23 METs-hours or more per week) - Elderly (65 years and older): 40 minutes or more per day (≒ approx. 6,000 steps or more per day ≒ 15 METs-hours or more per week) The achievement rate of recommended physical activity levels in this survey was 46.6% overall. By age group, 44.7% of adults aged 20-64 and 53.3% of the elderly aged 65-79 met the goals. By gender, 45.5% of adult men and 44.2% of adult women achieved the target, while 54.2% of elderly men and 52.2% of elderly women did so. The achievement rate for adults remained below 50% following the fiscal 2024 survey. Chart 1. Achievement rate (%) of recommended physical activity levels (time spent on physical activity of 3 METs or more per day) according to the Physical Activity Guide 2023 2. Daily step count and sedentary time The number of steps per day was 7,017 for adults and 5,428 for the elderly, falling below the standards set by the Physical Activity Guide 2023. The daily sedentary behavior time was 8.8 hours overall, with 8.8 hours for adults and 8.6 hours for the elderly. Chart 2. Median values for each behavior * About median and average values 'Median' is the value of the data in the middle when all numerical values are lined up in ascending order. 'Average' is the sum of all data values divided by the number of data points. This report uses median values, which are less susceptible to the influence of extremely small or extremely large values (outliers) compared to averages. ■ Activity Tracker In this survey, activity trackers containing a three-axis acceleration sensor are used to objectively measure physical activity. Just by wearing it on the waist, physical activity data is recorded every minute, making it possible to measure individual physical activity levels and step counts. It allows for full-scale measurement and analysis of 'how much you move' and 'how much you sit' in daily life. Participants wear the device for one week, including holidays, except when sleeping or bathing. ■ Survey Overview [Target] 6,000 men and women aged 20 to under 80 in 200 locations extracted from all 47 prefectures nationwide using stratified two-stage random sampling. [Method] Mail survey method. Participants were asked to wear the activity tracker for a total of 7 days, including Saturday and Sunday, for measurement. Information on exercise, sports, and lifestyle habits conducted during the period was obtained via questionnaire. [Survey Period] November 2025 [Main Survey Items] 1) Measurement via activity tracker: Physical activity level (low intensity, moderate-to-vigorous intensity), step count, sedentary behavior time, etc. 2) Survey via questionnaire: Exercise/sports participation status, history of exercise/sports activity, health perception, lifestyle habits, basic attributes, etc. [Recovery Status] Number of subjects analyzed: 1,353 (effective response rate 22.6%) *Subjects who wore the device for 10 hours or more per day for at least 4 days. [Research Directors] - Tomohiko Yoshida, Senior Policy Director, Sasakawa Sports Foundation - Yuko Kai, Deputy Director/Senior Researcher, Institute of Health and Sports Science, Meiji Yasuda Institute of Health and Welfare [Research Staff] - Yuki Matsushita, Senior Policy Officer, Sasakawa Sports Foundation - Ryoko Kawakami, Deputy Chief Researcher, Institute of Health and Sports Science, Meiji Yasuda Institute of Health and Welfare ■ Sasakawa Sports Foundation Established in 1991. Promotes the realization of a society where every citizen enjoys sports, 'Sports for Everyone,' and conducts research and survey activities with the goal of 'solving social issues through sports.' Major research themes include health and sports, disability sports, and children's sports. Based on research results, it implements joint projects with local governments and sports promotion organizations and makes policy recommendations. ■ Meiji Yasuda Institute of Health and Sports Science Established in 1962. The institute conducts research activities to develop new methods of health promotion that contribute to the realization of a 'healthy and rich long-lived society' and promotes the dissemination of that knowledge. It currently conducts exercise-epidemiological research on the health effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the workplace, and basic research aimed at elucidating the mechanisms. Furthermore, to root the knowledge of health science in society, it is deploying social implementation research in local communities. Sasakawa Sports Foundation 'Active Sports Think Tank' The Sasakawa Sports Foundation is a think tank specializing in the field of sports that promotes 'Sports for Everyone.' It solves social issues through sports by formulating recommendations for national and local government sports policies, conducting research and surveys related to sports promotion, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data, and conducting joint practical research with local governments. President: Kazutoshi Watanabe Location: Nippon Foundation Bldg. 3F, 1-2-2 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Established: March 1991 Purpose: Promotion of 'Sports for Everyone' Business Content: - Research and surveys for the promotion of lifelong sports - Collaboration projects with lifelong sports promotion organizations - Public relations activities for the promotion of lifelong sports URL: https://www.ssf.or.jp/