How much do your friends or colleagues actually have saved? You might be curious, but hesitate to ask—even more so if you're close. Have you ever experienced this?

AZWAY Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Azumi Iguchi) conducted a nationwide survey of 300 men and women aged 20 to 60 on "savings levels and anxieties about future finances." (Tower Mansion DB)

The results revealed that 81.3% of respondents feel their savings are "lower than their peers." Notably, even among those with savings in the 5 million yen range, half responded that it's "insufficient"—highlighting that financial anxiety extends beyond actual savings amounts.

In June 2026, the Bank of Japan raised its policy interest rate to 1.0%—the first time in approximately 31 years—ushering in an era of rising interest rates and continued inflation. This survey explored the "realities of savings" among peers, from actual savings distribution to the nature of financial anxieties and household money conversations.

【Survey Overview】

Survey Name: Questionnaire on Savings and Future Financial Concerns

Target: Men and women aged 20–60 across Japan

Survey Period: June 7–14, 2026

Method: Online survey

Respondents: 300 people

Note: Percentages are rounded to one decimal place, so component totals may not sum to exactly 100%. For multiple-response questions, totals exceed 100%.

※This survey targets internet users and is based on voluntary responses. It differs in scope and methodology from official statistics (e.g., national savings surveys). Figures reflect trends within this respondent group.

【Respondent Profile】

Age: 20s: 66 (22.0%) / 30s: 98 (32.7%) / 40s: 84 (28.0%) / 50s: 36 (12.0%) / 60s: 16 (5.3%)

Household Composition: Married with children: 109 (36.3%) / Living with parents: 72 (24.0%) / Single: 52 (17.3%) / Married couple only: 39 (13.0%) / Other: 16 (5.3%) / Single parent with children: 12 (4.0%)

【Survey Summary】

81.3% feel their savings are lower than peers—consistent across age groups at around 80%

50.0% with 5 million JPY in savings and 24.0% with over 10 million JPY still feel it's insufficient. The actual median savings range is "1–2.99 million JPY."

92.7% feel anxious about future finances. Top concern: "Can I live on pension alone in retirement?" (34.7%)

【Result 1】How much do people actually save? 44.3% have less than 1 million JPY

When asked about current personal savings, the largest group (23.3%) reported "1–2.99 million JPY," followed by "100,000–499,999 JPY" at 21.3%.

0 JPY (no savings): 11.7%

100,000–499,999 JPY: 21.3%

500,000–999,999 JPY: 11.3%

1–2.99 million JPY: 23.3%

3–4.99 million JPY: 13.3%

5–9.99 million JPY: 10.7%

10 million JPY or more: 8.3%

Combined, 44.3% have less than 1 million JPY, and 67.7% have less than 3 million JPY. The median savings fall within the "1–2.99 million JPY" range.

Average savings figures reported in TV and social media are often skewed upward by high savers, but actual distributions differ significantly.

By age group, 75.8% of those in their 20s had less than 1 million JPY, while 34.7% of 30-somethings, 36.9% of 40-somethings, and 41.7% of 50-somethings remained below this threshold.

※Complete age-specific savings distribution tables and breakdowns of the 25 respondents who reported over 10 million JPY are available on the full survey results page (https://azway.co.jp/news/6473/).

【Result 2】How do people compare their savings to peers? 80% say "less"

When asked how they perceive their savings compared to peers, 56.0% said "significantly less," and 25.3% said "somewhat less," totaling 81.3% who feel they have less than their peers.

Significantly less: 56.0%

Somewhat less: 25.3%

About the same: 11.0%

Somewhat more: 6.3%

Significantly more: 1.3%

Around 80% of respondents feel they have less than their peers.

However, average savings are often inflated by high savers, so it's natural for most people to fall below average.

Yet, many still feel "less," possibly because others' savings are usually invisible, while success stories on social media and in the media are more memorable.

In other words, those who feel "I'm the only one with little" are actually in the majority.

This trend persists across all age groups: 80.3% of 20-somethings, 79.6% of 30-somethings, 81.0% of 40-somethings, and 88.9% of 50-somethings.

【Result 3】Are high savers at ease? Half with 5 million JPY still feel "less"

Are those with savings more at ease? Looking at the proportion who feel "less than peers" by savings level reveals surprising results.

Under 1 million JPY: 96.2%

1–2.99 million JPY: 95.7%

3–4.99 million JPY: 67.5%

5–9.99 million JPY: 50.0%

10 million JPY or more: 24.0% (※reference value, n=25)

Even among those with 5–9.99 million JPY—well above the overall median—half feel "less than peers." Among those with over 10 million JPY, one in four still feels "less."

Savings anxiety isn't resolved by amount alone; it stems from uncertainty about age, family structure, future expenses, and social comparisons.

【Result 4】Are people anxious about future finances? 92.7% say "yes," with pensions topping concerns

Regarding future finances, 63.0% said "very anxious," and 29.7% said "somewhat anxious," totaling 92.7% who feel anxious.

Top concerns:

Whether retirement life can be sustained on pension alone: 34.7%

Income not keeping up with inflation: 29.7%

Income reduction or job loss: 12.0%

Whether children's education costs will be covered: 10.3%

Large expenses from illness or caregiving: 4.7%

Parental care or family home management: 3.7%

No particular concern: 2.3%

Mortgage repayment: 1.3%

Other: 1.3%

Over 60% of concerns relate to factors like retirement funds and inflation—difficult to control through personal effort alone.

With interest rates and prices in flux, difficulty in forecasting household finances has become a central source of anxiety.

【Result 5】Are people saving regularly each month? Most common response: "No room to save" (34.7%)

Regarding monthly savings habits, the most common response was "no room to save" (34.7%).

No room to save: 34.7%

Saving a fixed amount monthly: 32.7%

Saving leftover amounts: 18.3%

Not particularly mindful: 10.0%

Saving irregularly (e.g., bonuses): 4.3%

Among those who feel their savings are "less," 42.2% cited "no room to save," while "

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Survey