世論 What Japan Thinks

iBridge Research Plus recently conducted a survey, reported on by japan.internet.com, into the matter of free papers.

Demographics

On the 8th of March 300 members of the iBridge monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 57.0% of the sample were male, 9.0% in their twenties, 31.0% in their thirties, 32.7% in their forties, 23.0% in their fifties, and 4.3% in their sixties.

I get about two or three free papers every fortnight through my door, usually filled with just classified advertisements and restaurant and beauty information with coupons, which I always check as my favourite local restaurant usually has a 10% off offer on the go.

Just one person reads foreigner-oriented free sheets – all I can say is that I’m glad my wife did too…
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There’s no shortage of free papers around town, even though it wasn’t until 2002 that the first one appeared in Japan. These free sheets were the focus of this recent survey from iBridge Research Plus, as reported by japan.internet.com.

Demographics

On the 14th of September 2009 300 members of the iBridge Research Plus monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 57.7% of the sample were female, 12.0% in their twenties, 30.3% in their thirties, 29.3% in their forties, 22.0% in their fifties, and 6.3% in their sixties.

I’m not sure exactly what that 2002 date for the launch of free papers means, as when I came to Japan in 1998 there was already three or four free weekly or monthly freesheets and magazines targetted at the foreign market; indeed I met my wife through a free paper advertisement.
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