OSAKA - Japan's younger generation is increasingly turning away from driving and car ownership, with the number of driver's license holders aged 24 and under falling by approximately 590,000 over the past decade to around 5.15 million in 2025, reflecting changing attitudes toward transportation, spending and the traditional appeal of owning a car.
The decline has become a growing concern for Japan's automotive industry and driving schools, with training facilities closing across the country as fewer young people seek licenses.
The proportion of people aged 20 to 24 holding driver's licenses has also fallen significantly. Compared with 2001, the rate has dropped by approximately 10 percentage points to 70.5%, highlighting a long-term shift in attitudes toward driving.
A survey of people in their 20s living in urban areas found that the most common reason for not purchasing a car was that public transportation was sufficient for their needs. The second most frequently cited reason was concern about traffic accidents, while the third was a preference for spending money on other things.
The findings suggest that younger Japanese are increasingly prioritizing cost performance and time efficiency, commonly referred to in Japan as "cospa" and "taipa," rather than viewing car ownership as a symbol of independence or social status.
The shift was discussed on Kansai Television's Saturday information program Dot Connect, where television personality and automobile enthusiast Kazushige Nagashima reflected on how attitudes toward cars have changed between generations.
Nagashima suggested that the decline largely reflected two factors: the financial burden of owning a vehicle and the disappearance of the romantic appeal that cars once held for young people.
He pointed out that purchasing and maintaining a car involves substantial expenses, including insurance, and that relying on public transportation is often considerably cheaper, particularly in urban areas.
"Young people today are smart," Nagashima said, explaining that many recognize the financial advantages of using public transportation rather than owning a car.
He also acknowledged concerns about traffic accidents, noting that driving inevitably carries risks and requires insurance coverage, adding to the overall cost of vehicle ownership.
However, Nagashima argued that the change goes beyond practical considerations and reflects a broader transformation in how young people view status, relationships and personal aspirations.
He recalled that when he was younger, owning an attractive car was an important way of impressing others, particularly potential romantic partners. A stylish vehicle represented success, confidence and a certain sense of adventure.
"There was status, there was style, and there was romance," he said, suggesting that younger generations no longer attach the same emotional significance to cars.
Nagashima contrasted those attitudes with contemporary dating culture, in which splitting the bill has become increasingly common, rather than men necessarily demonstrating financial success through expensive cars and lavish spending.
Asked about his first vehicle, Nagashima recalled driving a Toyota Soarer, a two-door luxury coupe that became a symbol of automotive sophistication during Japan's economic boom years.
He described the Soarer as an exceptionally stylish Japanese car and said his enthusiasm for automobiles eventually led him to own imported sports cars and supercars, including models from Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. He added that he still owns such vehicles.
For Nagashima, the desire to drive an impressive car was closely connected to wanting to look successful and fashionable, an attitude he believes has become less prominent among younger people.
He observed that today's younger generation appears less interested in showing off or creating an exaggerated image of success, suggesting that many prefer to live more naturally without placing excessive importance on appearances.
While acknowledging the positive aspects of this shift, he questioned whether an overwhelming emphasis on efficiency and value for money might also cause people to miss out on experiences that cannot be justified in purely practical terms.
"There's something valuable in things that seem unnecessary," Nagashima said, arguing that apparently wasteful experiences can provide enjoyment, inspiration and unexpected opportunities.
He suggested that the same principle applies to entertainment, where conversations and activities that serve no obvious practical purpose can still be meaningful.
"Romance that doesn't necessarily make sense is important," he said, emphasizing that not every decision in life needs to be guided by efficiency.
The discussion also highlighted how obtaining a driver's license no longer necessarily means becoming a regular driver.
A woman in her 20s appearing on the program said she holds a driver's license but stopped driving altogether after entering the workforce because she lacked confidence behind the wheel.
She explained that she had experienced no particular inconvenience from giving up driving and now travels primarily on foot.
Another participant recalled feeling emotional when his 18-year-old daughter obtained her driver's license and drove him for the first time, describing it as a moment when he realized she had become an adult.
The contrasting experiences illustrate how driving continues to hold symbolic importance for some families even as its practical necessity diminishes for younger generations.
The decline in young license holders presents a challenge for driving schools, particularly in areas where falling enrollment is already contributing to closures.
For the automotive industry, the trend also raises questions about how manufacturers can appeal to a generation that increasingly considers cars an expensive option rather than an essential purchase or aspirational product.
With Japan's extensive public transportation networks providing convenient alternatives in major cities, younger consumers appear increasingly willing to forgo the costs and responsibilities of owning a vehicle.
The changing attitudes suggest that the traditional connection between cars, personal freedom and social status is weakening, as financial practicality, convenience and safety become more important considerations in the transportation choices of younger Japanese.
