Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, Announces Survey Results on "40 Years of Change in Seniors" - Seniors Moving Towards Solo Activities, 40% Express Intent for "Sotsukon"

The Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living has conducted a survey titled "Senior Survey" every 10 years since 1986, targeting men and women aged 60-74 (see survey details below). Amidst significant changes in the social environment, such as extended employment periods, the survey results revealed changes in seniors' awareness and behavior across a wide range of life domains, including relationships with family and community, and lifestyles.

Seniors Moving from Family, Groups, and Responsibilities to Enjoying "Being Alone"

Over 40 years, the sense of solidarity with family, belonging to groups like local communities, and motivation for responsible work have declined. On the other hand, the intention to engage in solo activities and dine alone has significantly increased. Seniors' attitudes are shifting from a life based on "being with everyone" to a life that enjoys "being alone."

Commitment to "Being Together as a Family" Weakens

"Feel a sense of purpose when with family" -9.0 pts over 30 years / "Want to live in a large family" -20.1 pts over 40 years

Belonging to Groups and Desire for Responsible Roles Also Decline

"Participate in groups such as hobby or community clubs" -19.7 pts over 40 years /

"Want to take on responsible work or positions" -7.9 pts over 40 years

Two out of Three Are "Solo Action Types," Intention for Solo Dining Increases Approximately Threefold

"Tend to act alone rather than with friends" is 66.4%, nearly two out of three people.

"Want to go to coffee shops, restaurants, bars, etc., alone" is 48.6%, an increase of approximately threefold over 40 years.

"Being Alone" for Enjoyment, Not Isolation

"Happy to be told I'm unusual" +14.9 pts over 40 years / "Tend to seek adventure" +6.4 pts over 40 years

Couples Also Moving from "Always Together" to "Separate." Approximately 40% Have "Sotsukon" Intentions

Attitudes like "want to be buried in the same grave" and "want to have common hobbies" have significantly declined. The ideal image of a couple is converging towards a flat "friendship-based couple" without hierarchical relationships. While the intention for divorce remains around 10%, the intention for "sotsukon" – living without interfering with each other while not divorced – is around 40%. In marital relationships, the awareness of "respecting each other's individuality" is spreading more than "being together."

Intentions for "Same Grave" and "Common Hobbies" Decline by Over 20%

"Want to be buried in the same grave as my spouse" -21.2 pts over 30 years / "Want to have common hobbies with my spouse" -24.3 pts over 30 years

Ideal Couple Image is "Friendship-Based Couple" for About 80%

Both "domineering husband" and "henpecked husband" (lit. "Kakaa tenka") are declining, and "friendship-based couple" is projected to be 77.3% in 2026, nearly 80%.

Divorce Intention Around 10%, but Sotsukon Intention Around 40%

Those with divorce intentions remain at 12.7%.

On the other hand, those with sotsukon intentions reach 39.5%, about 40%.

By gender, women at 48.3% have intentions for sotsukon, compared to men at 30.4%.

[Definition of Sotsukon] Living without interfering with each other while not divorced.

"Rōjin" (old person) is from 75.9 years old, and "Otoshiyori" (elderly person) is from 75.8 years old. Those in their 60s are in an ambiguous life stage of "middle-aged and above, not yet senior."

The age at which senior-like terms such as "rōjin" and "otoshiyori" are considered appropriate has risen to the mid-70s. They have become distant from the 60s. On the other hand, looking at the positioning of the 60s in life, the sense of milestones like "time to live for hobbies," "time of fruition," and "time for a fresh start" has declined. With the extension of employment periods and healthy life expectancy, the 60s are becoming an ambiguous life stage, neither an extension of middle age nor the entrance to the traditional senior years, perhaps best described as "middle-aged and above, not yet senior."

"Rōjin" and "Otoshiyori" Now Terms for Those in Their Mid-70s and Beyond

In 1986, "rōjin" referred to people from 71.5 years old, but in 2026, it refers to those from 75.9 years old.

"Otoshiyori" also shifted from 72.8 years old in 1986 to 75.8 years old in 2026.

The 60s Are No Longer a Time for "Fruition" or "Fresh Starts"

"60s are a time to live for hobbies" -12.4 pts over 40 years. / "Time of fruition" also -6.7 pts over 40 years.

"Time for a fresh start" and "remaining life" rose until 2016, but will reverse and decrease in 2026.

Senior Survey: Survey Details

2026 Survey

• Survey Method: In-home placement self-administered questionnaire

• Survey Period: January 14 - February 13, 2026

• Target Audience: Men and women aged 60-74

• Survey Area: Within 40 km of the Tokyo metropolitan area

• Planning and Analysis: Hakuhodo Inc., Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living

• Data Processing: QO Inc.

• Number of Respondents: Tokyo metropolitan area, 700 people

1986, 1996, 2006, 2016 Surveys