#Japan #Tokyo #End-of-Life Planning #Sozoku.com #AGEtechnologies

Understanding Attitudes Towards End-of-Life Planning

In an effort to understand the growing importance of end-of-life planning among families in Japan, AGE Technologies, headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has conducted its first comprehensive survey regarding this pressing issue. The survey targeted customers of their online inheritance service, Sozoku.com, and aimed to gather insights from individuals aged 40 and above, including seniors.

Survey Overview

The survey, held from November 25 to December 2, 2025, received 107 valid responses. Participants shared their experiences and attitudes towards discussions about end-of-life planning, revealing several striking trends. The findings suggest that while there is a recognized need for these conversations, significant barriers prevent families from engaging in meaningful dialogues.

The Changing Family Dynamics

Japanese families are experiencing a notable transformation characterized by declining birth rates and an increasing prevalence of nuclear families. This social shift has led to family members living apart, resulting in fewer face-to-face interactions and discussions about crucial life topics, including inheritance and end-of-life desires. The extension of life expectancy emphasizes the necessity for families to communicate openly about their healthcare preferences, asset management strategies, and the handling of personal affairs as they age. Nevertheless, many respondents reported feeling that initiating these discussions is often fraught with difficulty, lacking clear prompts or comfortable contexts.

The Burden of Inheritance Responsibilities

Through analyzing approximately 55,000 inheritance procedures since their service's inception, AGE Technologies recognized a troubling pattern—insufficient discussions regarding end-of-life preferences often lead to increased emotional burdens on surviving family members. Complications arising from a lack of preparation could result in both prolonged administrative processes and heightened family distress. Therefore, the firm sought to illuminate the current realities regarding end-of-life discussions by examining the experiences of those who have navigated the inheritance process.

Summary of Key Findings

The survey results highlighted a disheartening reality regarding end-of-life conversations:

• - Approximately 40% of respondents indicated that they did not have the opportunity to discuss end-of-life planning due to a lack of initiators or prompts. The most cited reason was simply that no suitable opportunity had arisen (40.3%).
• - A significant portion of participants expressed regret over missed conversations about cleaning out family homes (40.8%) and expressing gratitude (36.7%).
• - Respondents rated their burdens associated with end-of-life planning at an average score of 6.4 out of 10, indicating that over half (57.1%) perceived their responsibilities as high.
• - Almost half of participants (46.9%) admitted to feeling a degree of regret regarding their unpreparedness concerning end-of-life arrangements.

Detailed Insights into the Survey Responses

Relationships with Deceased Loved Ones

Regarding the relationship with the deceased, 84.1% identified as children (including in-laws), highlighting how the majority of respondents were deeply connected to the people for whom they were responsible in matters of inheritance.

Who Initiated the Conversations?

A significant number of respondents reported that the primary person who facilitated the conversation on end-of-life planning was themselves (24.8%) or the individual facing mortality (26.7%). However, a staggering 40.6% admitted that they never created opportunities to discuss such matters.

Reasons for Avoidance

Many respondents stated that conversations were avoided due to the absence of an apparent prompt to initiate dialogue, illustrating an urgent need for better guidance on discussing these sensitive topics within families.

Challenges with Digital Assets

Participants also indicated concerns regarding digital inheritance. The most frequently reported issue was an inability to access login IDs or passwords for digital accounts, suggesting a growing need to address the management of digital legacies in future discussions.

Moving Forward with Family Conversations

The survey results underscore the importance of fostering open dialogue among family members regarding end-of-life planning. AGE Technologies advocates for a shift in perspective—from viewing end-of-life planning as a solitary endeavor to embracing it as a collective family activity. The concept of 'Family End-of-Life Planning' aims to encourage families to engage in conversations that connect their past experiences with future planning, thereby empowering them to make informed decisions together.

By creating platforms that facilitate these discussions, AGE Technologies strives to help families engage naturally in topics concerning each other's well-being and future. The 'Sozoku.com' service exemplifies these efforts, simplifying the complex processes of inheritance management through an accessible online platform. As the company continues its mission, it remains dedicated to building a society where discussions around end-of-life matters are normalized and readily embraced by all generations.