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Which prefectures take top spots in ‘problem-free’ survey?

11 Comments
By Katie Pask, SoraNews24

Being in your 20s is a stressful time for any young adult, Japanese adults included. Job searching is tough, and finding a job with a decent salary is even harder. Considering the declining birthrate and aging population, it’s crucial for sustainability that prefectures are desirable enough to prevent young adults from moving away to larger cities.

In a questionnaire conducted by Brand Research Institute, 16,000 Japanese adults in their 20s were surveyed about what they were concerned about. The most common response was "low income," with 41.6 percent of responses. Compared to the average 35.1 percent from across all ages, young people are clearly worrying more about their money than the older generation.

However, there were some people in the survey who claimed to be free from any worries at all. The respondents who answered “I have no worries” were then ranked by prefecture to determine which area was easiest for those in their 20s to live in. So which prefecture took the top spots in the "problem-free" survey?

3. Tochigi Prefecture

Coming last in the annual prefectural popularity contest clearly didn’t cause its residents any concern, as 31.3 percent of respondents from Tochigi Prefecture (population 1.9 million) claimed to have no worries. There’s certainly no need to worry about any crime; the local wildlife have got you covered there.

2. Yamaguchi Prefecture

Located at the western tip of Japan’s main island of Honshu, Yamaguchi Prefecture (population 1.8 million) might not have the bright lights and hustle and bustle of well-known areas in Japan, but it’s certainly far from boring. 31.3 percent of those responding to the survey said they were worry-free, and with scenery like this, why would you have any worries?

1. Fukuoka Prefecture

In a surprising victory, Fukuoka Prefecture takes the top spot for "most worry-free area," with 40.9 percent – a whopping 9 percent more than the runner up. Fukuoka Prefecture has a population of over five million and Fukuoka City is the sixth biggest city in Japan. Whereas Tochigi and Yamaguchi are more rural areas, Fukuoka has the "big city" image, and is also home to Kitakyushu, home to some of the wildest Coming-of-Age ceremonies in the country.

Japanese netizens were surprised at Fukuoka taking the top spot in "least stressful place to live for people in their 20s."

“I thought for sure Okinawa would take the top spot.”

“Why would you have any need to worry when you live in a country like Japan?”

“In places that have Coming-of-Age ceremonies like those, even if you had worries, you’d be hard pushed to say anything.”

But even in the top ranked prefectures, there are still a large number of people that responded with things they are worried about, including low income, education, health, and traffic manners, meaning prefectures have a long way to go to make sure all their young citizens are satisfied with their way of living. Maybe when they’ve figured it out, they can help other prefectures think of ways to keep their married citizens happy!

Source: Yahoo News via Otakomu

Read more stories from SoraNews24.

-- Online survey sheds light on prefectural personality rankings of Japanese people

-- What are the worst things about the first year working in a Japanese company? Survey investigates

-- Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare reveals the five prefectures with highest divorce rates

© SoraNews24

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

11 Comments
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Being in your 20s is a stressful time for any young adult

For most people, that's probably untrue. This Covid blip aside, in recent years there have been plenty of jobs for graduates in Japan. At that age, you have your own money for the first time, no more study pressure, and lots of nightlife to explore. Going to the provinces to avoid stress (and get some space for your family) is something you should do in your mid thirties or forties. Compared to trying to paying for kids and saving for retirement, your 20s are carefree times.

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No problems for her in that pic except the angle of her left arm.

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I am curious how Okinawa was ranked. I would think it would be among the top with the excellent climate that has nil snow. I understand everywhere in Japan is generally safe but I understand Okinawa is just as safe if not safer than most areas in Japan. Also I understand, the cost of living is less than areas like Tokyo. Also I understand there is a beach right in Naha City.

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baroque1888Today  04:00 am JST

I am curious how Okinawa was ranked. I would think it would be among the top with the excellent climate that has nil snow. I understand everywhere in Japan is generally safe but I understand Okinawa is just as safe if not safer than most areas in Japan. Also I understand, the cost of living is less than areas like Tokyo. Also I understand there is a beach right in Naha City.

It's poor, has (had) (too) many Chinese tourists who booked rental cars through illegal companies, since they don't have international drivers licenses and are the worst drivers in the world, besides all of the Y tags of military people who are loud and annoying and fill all the restaurants and roads.

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I understand Okinawa is just as safe if not safer than most areas in Japan

I love Okinawa, spend most of my summer holidays there, and have day-dreamed about living there.

Factors against include the frequency and strength of typhoons, poor pay, too many tourists (yes I know, including me) and the US military.

Not really concerned that much about the behaviour of the military people, most of them are OK; the problem is that the bases take up too much prime land, and make Okinawa the primary target in any shenanegins the top brass decide to start.

So as a place to visit and enjoy, Okinawa is tops (together with Ogasawara); as a place to lie, I would not consider it one of the safest by a long chalk.

Tochigi number three? I can live with that.

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a place to live, of course.

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Tochigi number three?

Tochigi gets a bit of a bad time along with Gunma and Ibaraki. As was mentioned, it is regarded as the least attractive Japanese prefecture last year. My coworker from Ibaraki was delighted.

Someone said these prefectures get a particularly low rating because of their proximity to to the cooler and more interesting Tokyo and Kanagawa.

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the cooler and more interesting Tokyo and Kanagawa.

lol Modern variation on the old Chinese curse - May you live in an interesting place.

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