世論 What Japan Thinks

One of the most common bits of advice given to foreigners before they come to Japan regards bathing habits and customs, so perhaps this survey from goo Ranking into unforgiveable bathing habits of other people will serve as a further reference to visitors to these shores.

Demographics

From the 6th to the 9th of July 2012 1,016 members of the goo Research monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 60.0% of the sample were female, 9.9% in their teens, 12.7% in their twenties, 29.0% in their thirties, 27.0% in their forties, 11.0% in their fifties, and 10.3% aged sixty or older. Note that the score in the results refers to the relative number of votes for each option, not a percentage of the total sample. This survey was for the men only.

Note that this list appears to include faux pas from both home and public baths.

Recently, Tofugu did a more entertaining look at some public bath habits which is well worth a read.
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A recent survey from Point On Research, reported by japan.internet.com, into mobile phone addiction levels found a high level of self-reported addiction amongst the young heavy users that make up their monitor base.

Demographics

On the 11th of May 2010 800 members of the Point On monitor group who were heavy users of mobile phones completed a private mobile internet-based questionnaire. The sample was exactly 50:50 male and female, 25.0% in their teens, 25.0% in their twenties, 25.0% in their thirties, and 25.0% in their forties.

On weekends I can go the whole day without touching my phone, but at work since I’m not allowed to take my mobile into my office, when I have a toilet break I have a peek, but unless there is mail waiting, it is no more than pressing a button on the case to see if it buzzes.
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Here are some interesting figures from Point On Research, reported on by japan.internet.com, into the matter of the degree of dependence on mobile phones

Demographics

On the 13th of October 2009 800 mobile phone users completed a mobile phone-internet based questionnaire. The sample was exactly 50:50 male and female, 25.0% in their teens, 25.0% in their twenties, 25.0% in their thirties, and 25.0% in their forties.

One thing that’s not clear from the using it in the toilet bit is if it is one’s home toilet, a public toilet, or a toilet at work, as hiding in the toilets at the office to send furtive email is quite popular at my place of work, for instance.
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DIMSDRIVE recently published the results of a survey into what people get up to in the bathroom. They interviewed 6,436 people from their internet monitor group by means of a private internet-based poll. 41.3% of the sample was male and by age 1.0% were in their teens, 17.2% in their twenties, 37.1% in their thirties, 27.4% in their forties, 12.7% in their fifties, and 4.6% aged sixty or older. This is a subject where I’ve previously translated another survey, so it might be useful as a cross-reference.

There are lots of interesting figures here that back up various preconceptions that I think many of us have about the Japanese love of bathing. I used to just have a quick shower or bath once or twice a week before I married, but I’ve been coerced into washing every day, and now quite miss a bath if for some reason I can’t have one, such as when on holiday. However, I only usually just jump into the tub for a minute or less to warm myself up just before bed time, with the majority of the bathroom time spent under the shower.
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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.
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