Japan driving trends show generational divide in license attitudes

Surveys conducted in Japan reveal a significant generational divide regarding driving habits and attitudes toward driver's licenses.

A study by KINTO shows that 94.7% of seniors aged 70 and older wish to continue driving, citing its necessity for daily tasks like shopping and medical visits. In contrast, only 51.1% of their children support them continuing to drive, with many expressing concerns over delayed reaction times and potential accidents. While both generations show interest in vehicles with higher safety features, seniors often hesitate to upgrade due to the cost of new cars or the perceived short remaining duration of their driving life.

Regarding younger demographics, a survey of Generation Z indicates that approximately 61% hold a driver's license, and about 53.6% own a car or motorcycle. Among those who do own vehicles, Japanese manufacturers such as Honda, Toyota, and Daihatsu are the most popular. For the 39% of Gen Z who do not hold a license, the primary deterrent is the high cost of obtaining one, followed by a lack of interest or the sufficiency of public transportation.