[2026 First Half Summary] "Current State of Investment" Revealed in 3 Surveys of 897 Japanese People: 74.9% Invest, Yet 79.8% Worry About Retirement; 56.3% of FX Traders Cannot Achieve Profitability

Finance Media Co., Ltd. (Location: Tokyo, URL: https://finance-media.jp/) has analyzed the results of three independent surveys conducted from March to April 2026 and announced them as the "2026 First Half Summary Report on Japanese Investment Trends." The total number of valid responses across the three surveys was 897, revealing an expansion in investment participation, deep-seated anxieties about retirement, barriers for beginners, and the reality for FX traders.

▪︎ Survey Overview

Survey Name: FX Trader Trading Style Survey 2026

Survey Period: March - April 2026

Survey Organizer: Finance Media Co., Ltd.

Total Valid Responses: 897

Survey Method: Internet Questionnaire

[Survey 1] Survey on the Asset Management Status of Japanese People 2026 Valid Responses: 411 https://finance-media.jp/report/asset-management-survey/ [Survey 2] Survey on the Status of Investment Beginners 2026 Valid Responses: 310 https://finance-media.jp/report/beginner-investor-survey/ [Survey 3] FX Trader Trading Style Survey 2026 Valid Responses: 176 https://finance-media.jp/report/fx-trader-survey/

● Key Points Revealed from the 3 Surveys

Japanese investment participation has expanded to 74.9%. Investment trusts and NISA are the most used products (54.7%) due to the spread of the new NISA.

The top reason for starting investment is "anxiety about retirement" (53.2%). However, 79.8% feel their retirement preparations are "insufficient," indicating that investment does not resolve these anxieties.

The biggest hurdle for beginners is "not knowing what to buy" (57.1%). YouTube is the mainstream for investment learning (56.8%), with video content being the primary channel.

73.9% of FX traders started with the goal of "supplementary income." However, 56.3% of traders cannot achieve profitability, with "mental management" and "stop-loss decisions" being the biggest challenges.

Common challenges across the three surveys are "lack of information" and "inability to resolve anxiety." Even with increased investment participation, the need for correct knowledge and information remains strong across all demographics.

Result 1 Investment participation has expanded to 74.9%, with the new NISA accelerating entry by the general public [Survey 1]

In the Asset Management Status Survey (411 respondents), 74.9% answered "currently investing." Including past experience, 82% have investment experience. Investment trusts and NISA (54.7%) were the top-used products, confirming that the new NISA system, launched in 2024, is significantly boosting investment entry among the general public.

Point: In the Investment Beginner Survey (310 respondents), 75.5% also answered "currently investing." Both surveys consistently show participation rates exceeding 70%, underscoring a significant shift in Japanese investment behavior.

Result 2 Top reason for investment is "anxiety about retirement," but 79.8% feel preparations are "insufficient" [Surveys 1 & 2]

In the Asset Management Status Survey, 79.8% felt their retirement preparations were "insufficient," with only a meager 2.9% feeling "sufficiently prepared." Meanwhile, in the Investment Beginner Survey, the top reason for starting investment was "anxiety about retirement" (53.2%). This highlights that even though anxiety prompts investment, the anxiety itself is not easily resolved, as revealed by cross-referencing the two surveys.

Result 3 Biggest hurdle for beginners is "not knowing what to buy" at 57.1%. YouTube is mainstream for learning [Survey 2]

In the Investment Beginner Survey, "not knowing what to buy" (57.1%) was the most cited initial hurdle. This indicates that even with increased information, the ability to "choose products that suit oneself" is difficult to develop. YouTube is the top learning method at 56.8%, surpassing web media (30.6%) and books (24.5%) as the primary learning channel.

Result 4 56.3% of FX traders cannot achieve profitability. The biggest hurdle is "mental management" [Survey 3]

In the FX Trader Survey, 73.9% started FX for "supplementary income," yet 56.3% of traders failed to achieve profitability. Only 6.3% achieved "significant profits" (over 50,000 yen per month). Free-response comments frequently mentioned "mental management" and "stop-loss decisions," revealing that psychological management, rather than technical knowledge, is the biggest practical challenge.

[What is felt to be the most difficult in FX trading]

"I can't stand unrealized losses and cut losses too quickly, or I take profits too soon without letting them grow. Maintaining mental fortitude is the most difficult."

"Mental management, such as strictly adhering to stop-loss rules without being swayed by emotions, is the most difficult."

"When the market moves in the opposite direction of my prediction, I hesitate whether to cut losses immediately or wait a bit longer."

Result 5 Common Challenges Across All 3 Surveys: "Lack of Information" and "Inability to Resolve Anxiety" Common to All Demographics

Cross-referencing the three surveys shows that while investment participation is increasing, challenges such as "not knowing what to choose," "inability to resolve retirement anxiety," and "difficulty in achieving profits" exist in different forms across various segments. Despite changes in investment participation rates, product usage, and learning methods, the need for reliable information sources and correct educational content remains strongly common across all demographics.

📊 Cross-Survey Summary:

Asset management participants prioritize "low risk" (59.4%) with a defensive investment style / Beginners' biggest hurdle is "not knowing what to buy" (57.1%) / FX traders face "mental management" and "stop-loss decisions" as the most difficult challenges. In all segments, the demand for accurate information provision and educational content is high.