#Japan #Tokyo #LINE Research #Japanese Dramas #Drama Genres

Insights from the LINE Research Survey on Drama Viewership

In a recent survey conducted by LINE Yahoo, utilizing a robust research platform with over 7 million active participants from Japan, a revealing study was done regarding the viewing habits of Japanese dramas. This analysis included respondents from various age groups, ranging from teenagers to seniors in their 60s, and provided interesting insights into how often and what types of dramas are enjoyed across different demographics.

Viewing Habits

According to the findings, approximately 60% of the respondents reported watching more than one drama per month over the past year. Conversely, around 20% admitted to not watching any dramas at all during the same period. The likelihood of not viewing dramas increased significantly among younger audiences, particularly in the 15-19 age group, where over 30% reported abstaining from drama viewing.

As age increased, so did the number of dramas watched. Among individuals in their 50s and 60s, more than 20% reported watching five or more dramas each month, with women in this age range indulging even more.

Genre Preferences

When exploring the preferred genres among those who did engage with dramas, it was revealed that medical dramas emerged as the favorite overall, capturing the attention of over 40% of the audience. Close contenders included suspense/mystery, romantic dramas, and police dramas, each garnering support from about 30% of viewers.

Age-specific preferences illustrated some intriguing trends. Among those in their teens and twenties, romantic dramas took the lead, with over 60% of teenage girls favoring this genre. The coming-of-age and youth genres also found a respectable following among younger viewers.

For those aged 30 to 40, drama preferences were more varied, with suspense/mystery, medical dramas, and romantic dramas wrestling for the top spots in interests.

In contrast, viewers in their 50s and 60s showcased a stronger inclination toward medical and police dramas, with court dramas also gaining traction, particularly among those in their late 60s. Historical dramas, such as Taiga Dramas, were also noted to be popular among older audiences, showcasing a growing appreciation for cultural storytelling as one ages.

Interestingly, Korean and Asian dramas have gained a notable percentage of viewers, particularly among young women in their late teens to early twenties, as well as females in their 50s and 60s.

Gender Differences

In regard to preferences split by gender, both male and female respondents ranked medical dramas as their top choice. However, males showed a stronger preference for police, suspense, and comedy dramas, while for females, romantic dramas closely followed medical dramas as a favored genre.

Conclusion

This survey not only underscores the viewing tendencies of different age groups in Japan but also highlights the diversity of tastes in drama genres as influenced by age and gender. With changing interests and emerging new genres, dramas continue to play a pivotal role in the entertainment landscape of Japanese culture.

For more details regarding the survey specifics, you can explore the comprehensive results at LINE Research's Research Note.