#Japan #Tokyo #Survey Results #Fukoku Life #New Year Allowance

Nationwide Survey on Children's New Year Allowance in Japan

Fukoku Life has recently published enlightening findings from a survey conducted through their life information media, 47Life. This initiative aims to address common financial questions revolving around life events such as employment, marriage, and retirement. The survey gathered data from 100 individuals aged between 20 and 50 from each of Japan's 47 prefectures, focusing specifically on the amount of money gifted to elementary school children as New Year's allowance, known in Japan as 'otoshidama'.

Survey Outline

The survey asked two main questions:
1. Are you giving New Year allowance to your elementary school child?
2. How much are you planning to give?

Ranking of Average New Year Allowance per Prefecture

The results showcase varying amounts across different regions. According to the data published in January 2026, here's the ranking of average allowance amounts:
1. Ishikawa Prefecture: ¥6,453
2. Nara Prefecture: ¥5,828
3. Osaka Prefecture: ¥5,813
4. Toyama Prefecture: ¥5,694
5. Tokushima Prefecture: ¥5,532
6. Kanagawa Prefecture: ¥5,519
7. Akita Prefecture: ¥5,493
8. Tokyo Prefecture: ¥5,419
9. Kumamoto Prefecture: ¥5,372
10. Nagasaki Prefecture: ¥5,331
11. Saitama Prefecture: ¥5,288
12. Chiba Prefecture: ¥5,274
13. Tottori Prefecture: ¥5,023
14. Kagoshima Prefecture: ¥4,872
15. Nagano Prefecture: ¥4,750

The rankings continue, revealing the differences in financial generosity across the country. At the bottom of the list was Okinawa Prefecture, with an average allowance of ¥2,600, showing a significant difference of ¥3,853 when compared to the top ranking Ishikawa Prefecture. The national average was found to be ¥4,535, placing certain prefectures like Miyagi and Hokkaido in a competitive position.

Changes Over Time

Comparing this year's data to that collected in January 2021, there is a noticeable increase in the average New Year allowance, which was ¥3,218 at that time. This change indicates that, on average, families are now giving around ¥1,300 more than five years ago. However, the amount given in Okinawa has remained relatively stable, signaling less financial change in that region despite the trend seen elsewhere.

Additional Findings

The survey also revealed that 42% of respondents do give New Year allowance, while 18% stated they do not. A small percentage (4%) indicated they have no plans to give any allowance, and 33% have children who are not in elementary school. Furthermore, regarding how much allowance is typically given, the breakdown is as follows:

• - Less than ¥500: 10%
• - ¥500 to ¥1,000: 33%
• - ¥1,000 to ¥3,000: 28%
• - ¥3,000 to ¥5,000: 18%
• - ¥5,000 to ¥10,000: 4%
• - ¥10,000 to ¥30,000: 1%
• - Over ¥30,000: 4%
• - Don't Know/Prefer Not to Say: 2%

Conclusion

47Life aims to provide valuable insights into personal finance, offering content that resonates with everyday life situations. By promoting conversations about financial practices among friends and family, the platform aspires to play a role in helping individuals lead richer lives. For ongoing discussions, look forward to monthly articles focusing on money topics that affect your life.

For more comprehensive details on the survey, you can access the full article here.

About 47Life

47Life, brought to you by Fukoku Life, aims to accompany you with essential financial information tailored to your life. From employment to marriage and retirement, we uncover insights into your financial decisions. The platform helps clarify various questions that arise during critical life transitions, offering useful content for discussions among friends and family.

Stay tuned for more valuable financial insights as we continue to share knowledge that supports a more affluent lifestyle.