New Survey Reveals Communication Hesitations on Line in Japan

Communication in the Digital Age: Insights from LINE Yahoo's Survey

In a recent survey conducted by LINE Yahoo to coincide with the "Talk Day" on August 7, the challenges and perceptions surrounding everyday communication were examined among a diverse demographic of Japanese adults aged 10 to 60. The results unveiled some fascinating insights into the way we interact with each other in our increasingly digital lives.

Key Findings

From the survey, it was revealed that over half of the participants (55.9%) acknowledge the existence of people in their LINE friend list whom they wish to contact but find it difficult to initiate a conversation. This represents almost one in two individuals feeling a desire for deeper connection yet holding back due to uncertainties and social hesitations.

When examining the frequency of communication among friends on LINE, a notable 42.1% indicated that they had interacted with less than 30% of their friends in the past month. This suggests a tendency to maintain connections while simultaneously struggling with the initiation of conversations.

Researchers asked participants about the reasons for their hesitations. The most common responses highlighted the challenges many face when crafting the right opening line: 41.3% admitted they were unsure how to start the conversation, 27.9% didn’t know what to say, while 27.4% expressed concern about bothering a busy friend and 25.2% feared receiving no reply or a delayed response. These insights reveal a significant barrier surrounding digital communication that many grapple with daily.

The Perception Gap

Further interesting data emerged concerning the notion of “long time no see” in communication. Participants were asked how much time must pass before they consider a message as a long-overdue communication. A majority feels this period spans between one to three months. Specifically, 33% stated that around one month is sufficient time, while 29.3% indicated three months.

Interestingly, 59.2% of respondents expressed feelings of happiness upon receiving a message from someone after a long period, and only a small fraction held negative sentiments about re-establishing communication. This suggests a tendency toward positive reception of delayed outreach, yet simultaneously highlights a significant gap in assumptions between the sender and receiver in communication.

A Call to Action on Talk Day

In celebration of “Talk Day,” LINE Yahoo encourages users to bridge the gap by reaching out to friends they haven’t communicated with in a while, suggesting the use of LINE stickers to ease the initiation of contact. Recommended stickers like “How are you?” or “Long time no see!” offer a friendly touch for those hesitant to engage directly.

Here are some popular sticker packs to consider:

Additionally, LINE Store is continuously curating stickers based on trending themes that fit various chatting scenarios. Don't miss the chance to explore their editor's picks for greeting stickers that can create the perfect opportunity for re-connecting with friends.

Conclusion

LINE Yahoo remains committed to fostering meaningful connections through innovative services. Their mission to create a life platform that delivers delightful experiences continues, with a focus on making communication more accessible and enjoyable for all. The findings from this survey illuminate the nuances of our communication behavior and the potential for improvement. By encouraging friendly outreach, even with a simple sticker, we can transform hesitations into heartfelt connections again.

About the Survey

The survey conducted by LINE Yahoo targeted LINE users and spanned a range of ages from 15 to 69 years across Japan. It was implemented from August 4 to August 6, 2025, and gathered 737 completed samples, reflecting the diverse communications landscape in contemporary society.