世論 What Japan Thinks

MyVoice surveyed the members of its MyVoice community at the start of March to find out what they thought regarding bath time. 15,895 people responded to the internet-based questionnaire. 54% of the sample was female, with 4% in their teens, 23% in their twenties, 38% in their thirties, 23% in their forties, and 12% aged fifty or over.

Modern Japanese bathrooms are very automated these days – the standard for most new developments is to have a tap-free automaticaly filling bath, with temperature maintenance and fitted air conditioner. My dwelling, for instance, has one push to start the tub going, then it will maintain the temperature until we are ready to enter. The bathroom itself has a four-way air conditioner – heat, cool, dehumidify, and heat plus dehumidifying for drying clothes.

Note also that many homes have the bathroom as a separate room from the toilet or wash hand basin, so there is no need for a shower curtain as the whole room is waterproof.

Q1: At home, do you have a bath or take a shower? (Sample size=15,895)

Regardless of the season I always get in the tub	44.3%
Regardless of the season I usually get in the tub	15.7%
Regardless of the season I always take a shower	5.6%
Regardless of the season I usually take a shower	10.1%
Summer is showers, winter is baths	23.7%
Other	0.7%

Q2: About how long do you spend in the bathtub? (Sample size=15,895)

Up to 15 minutes	14.1%
15 to 30 minutes	56.3%
30 to 45 minutes	20.7%
45 to 60 minutes	6.2%
Over one hour	2.5%
No answer	0.2%

Q3: Please tell me what functions or devices you have in your bathroom at home. (Sample size=15,895, multiple answer)

Automatic bath filler	39.2%
Handrail	23.6%
Bathroom dehumidifier	22.8%
Easy-drain walls or floors	19.4%
Non-slip flooring	12.0%
Thermostat bath taps	7.1%
Multi-function shower	5.4%
Insulated floor	4.1%
Insulated bath tub	4.0%
24-hour bath	3.6%
Three-part sliding door	2.8%
Underfloor heating	2.8%
Jacuzzi	2.7%
Built-in television	1.9%
Self-cleaning bath	1.4%
Built-in audio	1.4%
Mist sauna	1.0%
Self-cleaning bathroom	0.6%
Bath tub lights	0.5%
None of them	40.0%
No answer	0.5%

Q4: Please tell me what functions or devices you have bought for your bathroom at home. (Sample size=15,895, multiple answer)

Bathroom dehumidifier	7.4%
Easy-drain walls or floors	4.5%
Jacuzzi	3.6%
Mist sauna	3.5%
Underfloor heating	3.3%
Built-in audio	2.8%
Built-in television	2.8%
Automatic bath filler	2.7%
Handrail	2.7%
Multi-function shower	2.6%
Non-slip flooring	2.5%
Self-cleaning bath	2.0%
Insulated bath tub	2.0%
Insulated floor	1.8%
24-hour bath	1.3%
Self-cleaning bathroom	1.3%
Thermostat bath taps	1.1%
Bath tub lights	0.8%
Three-part sliding door	0.7%
None of them	77.2%
No answer	1.7%

Note that the difference between this and Q3 is that Q4 refers to items specifically bought, rather than either already existing when buying or renting the home, or part of the standard package for a new home.

Q5: How often do you clean your bathroom? (Sample size=15,895)

Almost every day	36.8%
Three or four times a week	18.7%
One or two times a week	16.8%
Two or three times a month	7.1%
Almost never	2.1%
When I am aware of it being dirty	14.3%
Don’t know	4.0%
No answer	0.3%

Q6: Which part of the bathroom are you particularly concerned about being dirty, etc? (Sample size=15,895, multiple answer)

Drain, hair trap	55.6%
Bathroom walls	44.6%
Bath tub	43.7%
Bath tub cover	31.9%
Tile grouting	31.2%
Floor	30.6%
Around the taps	26.2%
Bathroom door	22.5%
Bathroom mirror	19.7%
Caulking (waterproof seals)	19.0%
Ceiling or light fitments	14.6%
Extractor fan	11.8%
Shelving	10.8%
Bathroom window	8.0%
Shower curtain	2.5%
Other	2.0%
No particular areas of concern	4.4%
No answer	0.1%