Japan Survey Finds 1 in 4 Believe AI May Replace Friends and Family

A nationwide Jiji Press poll of 2,000 Japanese adults conducted from June 12‑15 found that 24.9% of respondents believe advanced artificial intelligence could one day replace friends and family, while 65.1% disagreed. The belief was strongest among younger adults, with 32.5% of those aged 18‑29 sharing the view, compared with about 30% of respondents in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

Overall, 30.8% of participants said they use generative AI services such as ChatGPT, with usage rates of 53.3% among 18‑29‑year‑olds and 56.2% among those in their 30s. The most common purpose was work (64.7% of AI users), followed by household tasks like cooking and cleaning (35.3%), seeking information on current affairs (27.1%), and more personal interactions such as chatting about music, fictional characters or sharing personal worries (21.7%). The survey was carried out against the backdrop of Japan’s shrinking and ageing population, which may shape how AI is adopted for both practical and emotional support.