'What middle-aged men fear is not aging, but the man next door': Findings from a 393-person survey on who men really compare themselves to. Father's Day Gift Campaign starts June 10.

Survey Overview - The most common association for 'ojisan' (middle-aged man) was 'men seen in the city' (41.2%). - 44.1% of male respondents identified themselves when hearing the term. - 63.4% feel that men with unkempt skin 'look aged.' - Takamitsu Corporation released the '#Ike-Oji (Cool Middle-Aged Man) Makeover Project' findings. - Father's Day Gift Campaign is being held simultaneously.

Background Takamitsu Corporation (President: Seiya Takaoka), a pharmaceutical manufacturer headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi, conducted the '#Ike-Oji Makeover Project' survey regarding men's skincare awareness and impressions, gathering 393 responses. The results revealed that 'men seen in the city' (41.2%) were the most common association, indicating that men are more conscious of those they encounter in daily life than colleagues. Additionally, 44.1% of male respondents (n=204) associated the term with 'themselves,' highlighting that they view it as a personal issue.

Key Findings 1. Associations for 'ojisan': 1st: Men seen in the city (41.2%); 2nd: Father/father-in-law (30.0%); 3rd: Workplace male (28.8%); 4th: Self (22.9%). Among male respondents, 44.1% cited themselves. 2. Skin Concerns: Sagging/loss of firmness (49.1%), spots (46.1%), and enlarged/darkened pores (45.5%) were the top concerns, with many men reporting multiple simultaneous issues. 3. Impressions based on skin condition: 63.4% feel that men with unkempt skin 'look aged.' Conversely, men with well-maintained skin received high ratings for 'cleanliness' (71.5%) and 'looking youthful' (63.1%).

Takamitsu's Analysis The survey highlights that 'what men fear is not aging, but the man next door.' There is no need to compete with younger generations; rather, being conscious of the skin condition of peers in daily life leads to a sense of cleanliness and a positive impression.