According to a 2024 household survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, monthly living expenses excluding rent for single households under 35 were estimated at 136,542 yen. Breaking down these expenses, food costs averaged 40,305 yen, utilities 9,005 yen, medical expenses 8,252 yen, and communication fees 5,730 yen.
When rent is added on top of these expenses, many young people say that living alone has become increasingly difficult. Compared with ten years ago, the survey revealed that the average monthly rent for single households under 35 has risen by about 6,600 yen, while other living expenses have increased by approximately 3,800 yen. Together, these changes have added roughly 10,000 yen to the monthly financial burden.
Real estate appraiser Masanori Taito highlighted that the surge in condominium prices has pushed up rental costs as well, with rents expected to continue rising gradually.
A separate survey by the real estate information service LIFULL HOMES, which polled 1,693 men and women in their 20s from the Tokyo metropolitan area, found that 37.7% live with their parents, 27.7% live alone, and 17.0% live with a partner or children. Smaller shares live with relatives (7.3%), with a partner (7.4%), or with friends (1.1%).
Street interviews suggest that many people in their twenties identify with the nearly 40% who remain living at home. For example, a 23-year-old from Gunma who recently started living alone said most of his peers still live with their parents. Likewise, a 22-year-old woman in Saitama who continues to live at home shared that while she plans to buy a car this year, she has yet to contribute financially to the household but intends to do so in the future. She also acknowledged that sharing a room with her younger brother may reduce her privacy, which could become a disadvantage.
The same LIFULL HOMES survey uncovered the top reasons why young adults choose to stay with their parents. These include the desire to save money, inability to pay rent or living expenses, proximity to the workplace, wanting to spend on hobbies or oshi-katsu (fan activities), the burden of household chores, and parental requests not to move out.
One 24-year-old respondent, Ranmaru Kishitani, said nearly all these reasons applied to him except for parental requests. He spends most weekdays at a shared office but returns home about twice a week for meals and family comfort. He estimates that about 80% of his peers also live with their parents.
The benefits of staying at home include help with chores, reliable meals, lower living costs, and a sense of security. However, drawbacks range from family rules and interference in daily life to difficulties inviting friends or partners over, as well as inconvenient commuting arrangements.
Kishitani added that more young people now view living with their parents not as a failure of independence but rather as a form of cooperation—especially if there is no pressing need to move out.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/146992.php
