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Insights from Sony Bank's Recent Travel Survey

Sony Bank, led by President Keiji Minami, has recently completed a survey revealing significant trends in customers' intentions for international travel and their awareness regarding savings. The study focused on the views of 3,682 account holders between November 10, 2025, and November 24, 2025.

Overview of the Survey

This survey, which revisited some inquiries from a previous study covering 5,235 account holders between November 6, 2024, and November 20, 2024, has marked an increase in travel appetite among respondents. The findings indicated that 43% of participants traveled abroad, a rise of 5 percentage points from the prior year.

Most travelers ventured abroad during September and October, with both months recording 27% of travel. This trend highlighted a shift, indicating that many people are opting for late summer trips, avoiding the peak prices associated with the Obon holiday season.

Growing Desire for International Travel

While the survey revealed that 68% of respondents felt positive about their inclination towards overseas travel, this number was slightly lower than the previous year's 70%. Nonetheless, half of the participants indicated they had plans to travel abroad within a year, up 6 percentage points from the previous year. It's clear that the desire for international travel remains strong among Sony Bank customers.

The preferred destinations for recent trips as well as future aspirations predominantly favored Europe, with 33% marking it as a destination. Southeast Asia followed closely with 29%. The appealing nature of Europe, known for both its allure and relatively high costs, juxtaposes with the affordability of closer Asian destinations, leading to a divide in travelers' preferences.

Concerns During Travel

When it comes to international travel concerns, 59% of respondents identified exchange rates as their primary worry despite a decrease of 10 percentage points from the previous year. Notably, concerns about safety overtook inflation concerns, with 67% expressing anxiety over potential theft, loss, or fraudulent usage of cards during their travels.

Increased Savings for Travel

The survey also revealed an increased tendency to save for international trips, with 24% of respondents admitting to saving more than usual, reflecting a 3 percentage point increase from the last survey. Among those planning to purchase foreign currency in advance, 34% indicated they would closely monitor exchange rates, aligning with the highlighted concerns about currency fluctuations.

For those using Sony Bank WALLET abroad, the survey indicated that the zero foreign transaction fees and the convenience of tap payments are regarded favorably, enhancing the banking experience for travelers. Moreover, the cashback for cash transactions and the minimum of four fee-free usage of partnering ATMs within Japan were also well-received.

Celebrating Sony Bank WALLET's 10th Anniversary

As Sony Bank WALLET approaches its tenth anniversary in January 2026, it remains competitive in the market. It supports eleven currencies, including the Japanese Yen, US Dollar, and Euro. The card's ability to be used globally while retaining foreign currency has led to the issuance of over 1.5 million cards by September 2025.

As part of celebrating this milestone, Sony Bank is currently running a special campaign to distribute a total of 60 million yen, with prizes of 100,000 yen offered to 100 winners. This presents an excellent opportunity for customers to engage with the brand and make the most of their savings and travel plans.

For more detailed information about the survey results and the anniversary campaign, you can visit: 2025 Summer Travel Survey Results and Sony Bank WALLET 10th Anniversary Campaign.