#Japan #Tokyo #esports #Cross Marketing

Survey Insights on eSports Participation and Viewing Trends

The realm of eSports is becoming increasingly recognized in Japan, with a recent survey conducted by Cross Marketing delving into the perceptions and behaviors of gamers aged 15-69. The report, titled "2026 Gaming Survey: eSports Edition," analyzes crucial elements such as the experience of participating in eSports tournaments, viewing habits, and preferred game genres among respondents.

Key Findings from the Survey

Participation and Viewing Experience

The survey highlights a growing awareness but moderate participation in eSports among players of both console and mobile games. Out of 1,918 surveyed individuals who play video games at least once a month and are aware of eSports:

• - Only 3% reported having participated in an eSports tournament.
• - 17% indicated they had experience exclusively with watching or viewing eSports events.
• - Overall, just 20% of participants had either watched or participated in eSports tournaments.

This reflected a slight decline in participation and viewing experience compared to the previous year, with those aged 20-30 representing around 30% of the viewing and participation demographics. Notably, the participation rate across various age groups over the past six years has remained below 10%.

Preferred Genres and Game Titles

When examining the genres of eSports events that respondents have engaged with, shooting games, fighting games, puzzle games, and racing games were noted as the most enjoyed. While fighting games initially increased in popularity over the past five years, this year's data shows a minor decrease.

Among the games that respondents think of as prominent in eSports, the top three titles are:

• - Street Fighter Series (158 responses)
• - Fortnite (126 responses)
• - Apex Legends (94 responses)

Interestingly, younger players aged 15-19 had higher recognition rates for Fortnite and VALORANT compared to other age groups.

Future Viewing Intentions

Looking ahead, 40% of respondents expressed a desire to engage with eSports viewing, indicating sustained interest in these events. The top preferences for future tournaments and broadcasts included:
1. World and international tournaments (36%)
2. Major domestic competitions (31%)
3. Tournaments hosted by influencers or streamers (29%)
4. Professional official leagues (28%)

Conclusion

The latest survey indicates that while awareness of eSports is on the rise in Japan, actual participation remains relatively low. The interest in specific genres and titles provides insight into both consumer preferences and the future direction of eSports events. The gradual increase in viewing intentions suggests that eSports may continue to gain traction in Japan, especially as more structured tournaments and events become accessible to a broader audience.

For more insights on video game trends, view the full study on the Cross Marketing website here.