"Sharing Secrets Only with Mom"... In a Country Where the Average Male Height Is 170cm, Smaller Homes and Relationships Are Preferred

Stature, Homes, and Relationships Are All Shrinking
Japan Swept by the 'Downsizing' Trend
Economic Stagnation Reshapes Society... A Shift Toward Reduction
A New Standard for Japanese Society in the Era of Low Growth

An analysis has emerged suggesting that the so-called "downsizing" phenomenon—where not only people’s physiques but also their relationships, consumption patterns, and living spaces are all generally shrinking—is establishing itself as a new trend in Japanese society. This diagnosis points to prolonged low economic growth fundamentally transforming overall lifestyles and values across the country.

Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) recently reported in a special feature titled "A Narrower Japan" that Japanese society is shifting toward "less, smaller, and closer," indicating a move to embrace reduced scale and proximity in various aspects of life.

The newspaper analyzed that this trend is not merely a passing fad, but rather the result of a complex set of factors—namely, the prolonged stagnation following the collapse of the bubble economy in the early 1990s, a declining population, and evolving values—all acting in combination over what is now known as the "lost 30 years."

The most immediately noticeable change concerns physical stature. According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the average height of Japanese men in their 20s and 30s has remained stagnant in the low 170-centimeter range for several years. While Japanese height steadily increased after the Meiji era thanks to economic growth and improved nutrition, this growth trend halted among those born in the 1970s and 1980s. Currently, the average height for 18-year-old males is lower than that of their South Korean counterparts. Average daily caloric intake in Japan continues to decline, and the country is now recognized as having one of the world’s highest proportions of people with slender body types.

A bustling district in Tokyo, Japan. The photo is not directly related to the content of this article. Pixabay

However, experts believe that a combination of genetic factors and changes in dietary habits are at play, and they note that the precise cause has yet to be determined.

Personal relationships are also becoming increasingly simplified. A survey by Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living found that the number of respondents who believe "the more friends, the better" has dropped sharply compared to 30 years ago. Additionally, the proportion of people who consider same-gender relationships more comfortable than those with the opposite gender has more than doubled. There is also a growing trend among young people to cite their mother, rather than an experienced boss or senior colleague, as the most trustworthy person for advice.

Nikkei explained, "A tendency to prioritize stability by focusing on daily life and close personal relationships, rather than on politics or social issues, has become stronger."

The keywords for consumption and housing culture are also "downsizing." More consumers are relying on recommendations from artificial intelligence (AI) rather than directly comparing a wide array of products, and a new trend of reducing the burden of choice—rather than expanding options—is taking hold. In city centers, ultra-compact apartments and narrow houses are spreading, while in the restaurant industry, new stores are emerging that make efficient use of small spaces.

Nikkei pointed out, "It is important for Japanese society to acknowledge the already changed social structure and the values of the younger generation, rather than trying to return to previous growth models." The analysis concludes that downsizing in physique, consumption, relationships, and living spaces is not simply a lifestyle change, but is becoming a new standard for Japanese society in this era of low growth.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.