Survey Shows Working-Age Mothers Exercise Only 30 to 40 Minutes a Week

Mar 12, 2026 | News On Japan

Mar 12, 2026 (News On Japan) - Women in their 20s to 50s—the so-called child-rearing and working-age generation—have significantly shorter exercise times than other age groups, according to a survey by Japan’s Sports Agency.

The survey, conducted last year, found that the median amount of time adults aged 20 and over spend exercising each week was 69 minutes.

Although definitions of "exercise" differ and direct comparisons are difficult, the World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, meaning the survey’s figure was less than half of that benchmark.

Among all groups, women in their 20s to 50s—many of whom are balancing work and child-rearing—stood out for their particularly low activity levels, with a median weekly exercise time of only about 30 to 40 minutes.

A Sports Agency official said the result may reflect how household chores and childcare responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women even as female workforce participation rises. The agency plans to encourage companies and other organizations to create environments that make it easier for women to secure time for exercise.

Source: TBS

Japan Introduces Stricter Penalties for Drunk Driving

Japan began applying a new numerical alcohol threshold for dangerous driving offenses on July 21, introducing a clearer standard for cases involving impaired driving that could lead to fatal accidents.

Japan Sets Investment Strategy

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government approved its first annual basic economic and fiscal policy on Tuesday, pledging "responsible and proactive fiscal policy" and envisioning about 370 trillion yen in public- and private-sector investment in strategic industries through fiscal 2040.

Japan Scrambles for Oil

A covert network of shuttle tankers is carrying crude through the increasingly dangerous Strait of Hormuz as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran disrupts shipping and raises concerns over how Japan will secure the oil it needs.

Russia Calls Japan-Ukraine Drone Cooperation a Clear Hostile Act

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has criticized moves by Japanese and Ukrainian companies to cooperate on drone technology, warning that such ties would be regarded by Moscow as a "clear hostile act."

Rainy Season Ends in Kanto-Koshin

The rainy season ended in the Kanto-Koshin and Tokai regions on July 20 as strengthening high pressure brought intense heat across Japan, with temperatures forecast to reach 38 C in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, and Kofu.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Tuition-Free Policy Drives Shift Toward Private High Schools in Hokkaido

Hokkaido saw a marked shift toward private high schools among students entering in fiscal 2026 after tuition at private institutions became effectively free from April, according to an analysis by the Hokkaido Board of Education.

Will Japan Impose Social Media Ban for Children?

The Japanese government is considering new rules to protect children from the risks of social media and plans to compile concrete measures by the end of 2026, but officials and experts remain cautious about introducing a blanket age restriction like those pursued in Australia and the European Union.

National Academic Test Shows Persistent Writing Challenges in Japanese

Japanese elementary and junior high school students continue to struggle with written-response questions in Japanese, while average accuracy rates in arithmetic and mathematics remained in the 50% range, according to nationwide academic test results released by the education ministry on July 16.

The Long History of Intimate Goods in Japan

Japan’s relationship with intimate goods is far older than the modern online adult shop. Long before discreet packaging, digital payments, and private home delivery, Japanese artists, writers, merchants, and townspeople were already exploring the boundaries between desire, humor, privacy, and everyday life.

Young Doctors Flock to Cosmetic Medicine

A growing number of young doctors in Japan are moving directly into cosmetic medicine after obtaining a medical license and completing their initial clinical training, raising concern that the trend may be worsening staff shortages in insurance-covered medical care.