世論 What Japan Thinks

In the survey on Skype I translated in July, I bemoaned the fact that there was no information about who people were calling, so I was glad to see japan.internet.com report on another survey about Skype, this time from iBridge Research.

Demographics

On the 27th of July 2009 300 members of the iBridge research monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 55.0% of the sample were male, 10.0% in their twenties, 38.3% in their thirties, 38.0% in their forties, 10.3% in their fifties, and 3.3% in their sixties.

I encountered my first serious problem with Skype last week. I needed to phone a UK free dial number, so I called up on Skype, and even though I was within office hours I got a recorded message saying that the office was closed and to call back the next day. However, I used my mobile instead and got through straight away, which was rather annoying.

Research results

Q1: Have you ever used Skype? (Sample size=300)

Used to use it, but not now (to SQs)	4.0%
Currently use it (to SQs)	6.7%
Never used it	37.0%
Never heard of it	52.3%

Q1SQ1: What do you use Skype for? (Sample size=32, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
Talking to friends, family in Japan	14	43.8%
Talking to people overseas (private, work-related)	9	28.1%
Language lessons	1	3.1%
Coaching, other training services	1	3.1%
Chatting with fellow players in online game	0	0.0%
Other	1	3.1%

Q1SQ2: To whom do you talk to on Skype? (Sample size=32, multiple answer)

	Votes	Percentage
Skype users in Japan	15	46.9%
Skype users overseas	8	25.0%
Mobile phones in Japan	2	6.2%
Fixed lines overseas	2	6.2%
Fixed lines in Japan	1	3.1%
Other	0	0.0%