What have we learned from our most recent research on kids in Japan?

Using data from our Kids of the World study, here are our latest insights on Japanese kids aged 6 to 11:

Time to have fun, being with loved ones, and TV make them happiest. When asked their top sources of happiness, time for fun and relaxation was by far most important (83%), followed by time with family (78%) and friends (74%), watching TV (56%), and going away on holiday (52%). Japanese kids also value these experiences more than kids globally—time for fun and relaxation (77% more), time with family (11% more) and friends (32% more), and watching TV (47% more).

When they feel stressed, they turn to TV, friends, and family. The main ways that Japanese kids relax is by watching TV (38%), spending time with friends (36%) and family (35%), napping (29%), and playing video games (27%).

Japanese kids have less access to digital devices than their global peers. Kids in Japan are significantly less likely to have their own devices. Just 16% have a smartphone (compared with 37% globally) and 9% have a tablet (41% globally).

They are also less likely to use social media. Japanese kids are almost 60% less likely than kids globally to have a social media account (19% Japan, 44% globally).

Looking for the positive is a defining trait. When asked to define themselves, Japanese kids said they are optimistic (66%), as well as creative (58%), confident (58%), and curious (57%).

But fear of not succeeding can keep them from their goals. Two-thirds of kids in Japan say that fear of failure sometimes stops them from doing things. They are also less likely than global kids believe it’s better to try things and risk mistakes than never to try at all (55% Japan, 85% globally).