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MetLife's Nationwide Survey 2025: Insights into Societal Changes and Future Preparedness

MetLife Insurance Co., under the leadership of CEO Dirk Osteen, has recently unveiled the findings of its comprehensive survey titled "Nationwide 47 Prefectures Survey 2025 - Social Changes and Future Preparedness." This extensive research targeted both men and women in their 20s to 70s across Japan's 47 prefectures. The survey captures valuable insights into how age demographics view inheritance, caregiving, and trends in digital technology amid rising living costs.

Key Findings

1. Inheritance and Family Dialogue
A significant 60% of respondents expressed a desire to leave an inheritance behind. However, roughly half of these individuals admitted they had not discussed their plans with their family, indicating a serious communication gap about inheritance within families.

2. Conversations on Caregiving
The survey found that 75% of older respondents had not engaged in discussions about caregiving options for the future. This suggests that families are underprepared for potential caregiving requirements that may arise as loved ones age.

3. Cautious Financial Management
With the recent surge in inflation, many individuals reported a shift in their financial strategies from aggressive to conservative. Even with salary increases, many feel little real gain. Notably, there’s been a decrease in the willingness to invest in NISA accounts while savings and fixed deposits have seen a notable rise, reflecting a growing conservative mindset in financial planning.

4. Shift Towards Cashless Transactions
Interestingly, about 25% of the overall population, especially young men in their twenties, no longer carry traditional wallets. Instead, around 60% of respondents now carry their My Number Cards, with two-thirds of those in their twenties reporting they do so regularly. This stark contrast highlights generational differences in attitudes toward money management.

5. Generative AI Usage
The awareness and usage of generative AI have surged since last year, with approximately 40% of respondents indicating they had utilized this technology. This trend is particularly prevalent among younger demographics, where more than half of those in their twenties have engaged with AI tools.

6. "Oshi Katsu" and Financial Literacy
A notable 40% of respondents reported they actively support or follow a favorite figure, known as "Oshi." This trend is especially prominent among younger individuals, with 65.2% of those in their twenties participating in such activities. Interestingly, those who engage in "Oshi Katsu" are also more likely to show an increased interest in financial literacy and wealth management.

Additional Insights

In addition to the main findings, the survey explored various other topics related to finance:

• - Younger generations express a higher expectation of utilizing AI in financial consultations compared to older demographics, where 40% also showed interest.
• - Platforms like YouTube and social media are gaining popularity for financial education, paralleling traditional media sources like television and newspapers.
• - Approximately 70% of participants expressed dissatisfaction with their current salaries.
• - Two-thirds of respondents believe that a person's income level influences their children's education.

This survey, now in its eighth iteration since its inception in 2018, aims to illuminate the valuable behaviors and attitudes regarding financial preparedness and family discussions within various demographics. As societal uncertainties heighten, MetLife is committed to adapting its services to meet the evolving needs of its customers while fostering a more secure financial future.

To access the full details of the Nationwide Survey 2025 results, please visit MetLife's official website.

About MetLife

Founded in Japan as the first foreign life insurance company in 1973, MetLife continues to evolve as one of the leading life insurance groups globally, always aiming to provide the optimal protection for consumers through innovative products and various sales channels.