38.3% Interested in Storage Units, 68.5% Feel Storage Shortage — Storage Challenges Nationwide and Future Service Demand [Storage Actual Conditions Survey 2026]

Due to shrinking living spaces and evolving lifestyles, storage concerns are widespread across generations and regions. There are also future-oriented storage challenges, such as moving, changes in family composition, and organizing belongings as one ages. Under these circumstances, interest in storage units, which can be flexibly utilized when needed, is rising.

This report analyzes future user storage needs based on surveys and examines the prospects for storage services that meet these needs.

Survey Highlights: - Currently feel a lack of storage: 68.6% - Feel more storage will be needed in the future: 68.6% - Potential to use storage units in the future: 38.3% - Feel the importance of storage services will increase: 63.3%

Storage shortage is a common challenge regardless of region, and there is a trend of it continuing and expanding in the future. Meanwhile, many are unable to decide on concrete actions due to life events and future uncertainties. In this context, storage units are increasingly recognized as an "option to be used when needed," and future growth as a service that supports daily life while enhancing convenience and flexibility is expected.

Chapter 1: Current Storage Situation and Challenges Do you feel your home has enough storage space? Many people across the country feel that their home storage space is "insufficient," making it a common challenge regardless of region.

- About 70% nationwide feel a storage shortage: Combining "completely insufficient" and "slightly insufficient," the total is 68.6%, indicating that many households face storage challenges. - High levels in both urban and rural areas: The percentage is high in regions such as Hokuriku (76.5%), Kanto (75.8%), and Tohoku (69.6%), with over half of the people in every region feeling a storage shortage.

It is evident that storage shortage is a common challenge regardless of the region.

- Slightly higher trend in the Metropolitan area: The percentage is higher than the national average in the Metropolitan area (76.3%) and Tokyo (79.7%), where it is more strongly recognized in urban areas.

What do you have trouble storing? As for items that people have trouble storing, daily-use items and seasonal items centered on "clothing and bedding" occupied the top ranks.

- Clothing and bedding are the most common: At 56.8% nationwide, it is the highest, and also high in the Metropolitan area (60.8%) and Tokyo (66.7%). It is also high in regional areas like Hokuriku (70.6%), making it a common challenge nationwide. - Hobbies and seasonal items are also high: Hobby items (39.0%) and seasonal items (34.5%) follow, indicating a trend of increasing goods due to lifestyle and seasonal changes. - Bulky and hard-to-discard items are also challenges: A certain number of items that are difficult to organize or dispose of, such as books/documents (28.0%) and furniture/appliances (25.8%), were also mentioned.

Chapter 2: Future Storage Needs and Background Do you feel you will need more storage space in the future? Regarding future storage needs, many people across the country feel that "more storage space will be needed," suggesting that storage challenges will continue to exist.

- About 70% nationwide feel the necessity: Combining "feel very much" and "feel somewhat," the total is 68.6%, indicating that many people anticipate future storage shortages. - Similar trend in the Metropolitan area: It remains at the same level as the national average in the Metropolitan area (70.9%) and Tokyo (69.6%), showing it is not limited to urban areas. - High needs in regional areas: It is equally high in Hokkaido (80.0%) and Tohoku (69.6%), and demand is expected regardless of the region.

Reasons why more storage space will be needed As for the reasons why more storage space will be needed, it was found that factors corresponding to age and life stage are overlapping, centered on the "trend of increasing goods."

- "Trend of increasing goods" is common to all generations: At 54.3% nationwide, it is the highest, making it a common reason regardless of the region. Together with the narrowness of houses (20.3%), it suggests that storage shortages are occurring as a life structure. - 20s are characterized by hobbies and life events: In their 20s, the increase in hobbies (50.0%) and changes in family composition (38.9%) are relatively high, indicating storage needs that include future life events. - 20s-40s are influenced by "growth of children": The growth of children accounts for a certain percentage in their 30s (24.5%) and 40s (29.8%), suggesting that temporary increases in volume during the child-rearing period lead to storage challenges. - Factors change by age: Although the reasons differ by age, such as hobbies, life events, and child-rearing, the fundamental factor of "goods increasing" is common, showing a structure where storage needs change according to life stages.