Interviews with 10 Individuals with Debt Experience Reveal All 'Couldn't Consult Anyone at First' | A Tool to Diagnose Suitable Solutions and Consultation Options in 1 Minute Also Released

*We interviewed 10 people for 30 minutes each.

Amidst recent frequent reports on the rapid increase of individuals with multiple debts, the financial information media 'Sustainable Finance Lab' (operated by Elevi.st Inc.) conducted individual interview surveys with 10 men and women who have experienced credit card delinquencies, consumer loan borrowing, and debt consolidation (May 6-14, 2026).

The survey found that almost all 10 individuals had taken on debt without being able to consult anyone initially. It also revealed that the inability to find solutions through research and the prevalence of negative information were factors prolonging the debt. Facing a financial crisis without being aware of multiple solutions is a major issue. Panic due to a sudden crisis can lead to an inability to instantly judge options, and a lack of knowledge can result in choosing inappropriate measures. Below is a list of options to consider by situation when you are in a financial pinch.

Reading this article will eliminate any confusion about what to do if you find yourself in a financial crisis.

◾️Survey Overview

Survey Name: Interview survey with 10 individuals with debt experience Target Audience: Men and women aged 18 and over with experience in credit card delinquency, consumer loan borrowing, or debt consolidation Hearing Contents: Age/occupation, circumstances of debt, cards/consumer finance/services used, who they consulted, how they handled the debt afterward, difficulties during the financial pinch, advice for their past selves and others in the same situation Number of Participants: 10 (6 men, 4 women) Age Range: 20s to 40s Implementation Period: May 6-14, 2026 Survey Method: One-on-one online individual interviews (30-45 minutes each) Survey and Writing: Sustainable Finance Lab (Elevi.st Inc.)

◼️Interviewee Information

(List of participants omitted)

Let's look at the reality and details of those with debt experience.

Reality ①: Opening up about debt problems is harder than imagined.

What emerged from the words of the 10 interviewees was a feeling that 'consulting someone felt like it would break something, so I couldn't do it.' Pride about being in debt and consideration for others, not wanting to cause worry, created a complex problem. Mr. C.Y. (31, IT company employee) puts it this way: 'Since it's about money, I couldn't talk to anyone... there was a time I thought I'd hide it and take it to my grave.' Mr. Y.H. (30, accounting professional) hesitated to even consult on social media, saying, 'I was afraid acquaintances would see my post and find out I was in debt and looking for solutions online.' The fact that they couldn't even bring themselves to post on social media or forums shows how strong the desire to 'not let others know' is. On the other hand, we also heard from those who did confide in family or partners. Ms. Y.R. (24, homemaker) said her husband's reaction was 'unexpectedly calm.' A common theme among those who opened up was the surprise that the 'worst-case reaction' did not actually happen.

Reality ②: It wasn't 'the end after consulting,' but 'the beginning after consulting'—a common sentiment among those who relied on experts.

The term 'debt consolidation' often carries a negative image of 'life is over.' However, the words of those who actually consulted experts were far from this image. Mr. O.K. (32, pharmaceutical manufacturer) reflects, 'I only knew negative information, like being put on a blacklist. If I had known the positive information, that it would get easier later, I would have acted sooner.' The bias in information distorted their judgment. Many respondents said that consulting an expert clarified what they should do. Mr. I.K. (34, manufacturing industry), who hired a lawyer, said, 'My monthly payments decreased from nearly 50,000 yen to just under 40,000 yen, and I felt secure having a professional negotiate for me.' People who consulted experts unanimously said things like, 'I can live a normal life, much the same as before, even after debt consolidation,' and 'The sooner you consult an expert, the better.' Ms. N.Y. (30s, temporary office worker) mentioned completing the process entirely through phone calls and electronic payments, highlighting the lowering barriers to consultation.

Reality ③: 'delinquency what happens'—the first words people in debt search for.

When debt repayment becomes difficult, many turn to search engines. However, keywords like 'delinquency what happens' make it difficult to reach concrete solutions like 'voluntary liquidation.' You cannot search for words you do not know, which closes off the path to resolution. Furthermore, even after reaching keywords for solutions, the search results are dominated by ads, making it hard to find neutral information. Mr. Y.H. (30, accounting professional) spoke of the difficulty, wishing for 'a site that lists options from a neutral standpoint.' On the other hand, some mentioned that testimonials from people in similar situations, like on 'Yahoo! Chiebukuro' (a Q&A site), were their only guide in their loneliness.

Reality ④: Many saw a rapid increase in debt due to 'multiple overlapping factors.'

Life events such as marriage, childbirth, and job changes occurring in a short period were major triggers for debt. Cases where temporary increases in expenses outpaced income, leaving them with significantly fewer payment options by the time they realized it, were common. Mr. C.Y. (31, IT company employee) said that childcare costs and other expenses piled up during a job transition, leading to him being 'overwhelmed by the costs of supporting my life.' Ms. N.Y. (30s, temporary office worker) also saw her expenses increase during maternity leave, resulting in her card being forcibly canceled.

Reality ⑤: Credit card revolving payments are not a solution for debt repayment.

Many of the experienced individuals chose revolving payments for short-term reasons like 'it lowers monthly payments,' but all of them reflect that they 'had no idea at the time how little the principal would decrease.' The mechanism of revolving payments, where 'the principal doesn't decrease even with monthly payments,' is a choice that makes debt snowball and should be absolutely avoided, they all agree.

◾️Bottlenecks to Debt Resolution

This survey revealed three interconnected structural factors that prolong the resolution of debt problems: 'inability to tell anyone,' 'inability to find solutions through research,' and 'prevalence of negative information.' These barriers act in concert, causing individuals to shoulder the burden alone and delaying resolution.

◾️Knowing the Right Option for You Now

To address this issue, our site has released a free diagnostic tool. By answering seven questions derived from the interviews with 10 individuals, you can find out the appropriate options and consultation points for your current situation. [Diagnostic Tool URL] https://spaceshipearth.jp/finance/shindan/