Rising costs and heat are changing summer spending habits in Japan

Most of us are probably feeling the financial pinch this summer, between already sweltering temperatures and the continuing rise in daily costs. A recent survey by the Job Research Institute highlights just how much these pressures are reshaping the way people are planning (or scrapping) their summer fun.

The survey polled over 500 working men and women across Japan, and found that a pretty whopping 86% expect their expenses to climb this summer, mainly due to soaring utility bills and food costs. The jump is most obvious in electricity use, since keeping the air conditioning running is simply non-negotiable for many of us, even when it means higher bills. Even those earning over 10 million yen a year said they were feeling the squeeze.

This financial strain is also reshaping typical summer plans. About 65% of respondents said they would cut back on leisure spending, whether that was by reducing trips, choosing closer or cheaper destinations, or skipping outings altogether. The median budget for summer leisure was only around 30,000 yen, signaling a shift toward more modest activities or simply heading home to spend time with family.

Are you finding that you’re trying to be more mindful with summer spending, and reducing costs + leisure spending?