# Physical fitness decline in Japan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/physical-fitness-decline-in-japan
> Updated: 2026-10-11T11:47:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 3.

Recent data indicates a trend of declining physical strength and fitness among the Japanese population.

A survey by Cross Marketing found that 82.9% of adults aged 20 to 69 feel their physical strength has decreased compared to five years ago, with current strength levels rated at approximately 73% of their previous capacity. Common symptoms include persistent fatigue and difficulty sleeping. While some respondents utilize exercise or lifestyle adjustments like hydration and sleep to manage their health, only 37.5% actively practice methods to maintain or recover strength.

Complementary data from the Japan Sports Agency highlights a long-term decline in fitness levels. Between 2001 and 2025, fitness scores for women in their 30s and 40s dropped to 96.3 and 93.6 respectively. Men in their 40s have also seen declines since the start of the Reiwa era. Experts attribute these trends to reduced exercise opportunities, such as lower sports club membership, and the challenges faced by working-age women in balancing professional responsibilities with housework and childcare.

A fiscal 2025 survey by the Japan Sports Agency involving 60,213 participants found that affiliation with school or community sports clubs significantly influences physical strength, creating a widening gap between members and nonmembers across all ages and genders. This disparity is most pronounced in younger generations; for example, the gap for 19-year-old men rose from 6.29 points in fiscal 2001 to 8.45 points in fiscal 2025. The agency noted that this was driven by rising scores among club members and declining scores among nonmembers. In response, the agency intends to work on improving environments to help various age groups secure necessary exercise opportunities.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-11: Japan Sports Agency survey finds sports club membership impacts physical strength

A Japan Sports Agency survey reveals a widening physical strength gap between sports club members and nonmembers, particularly among younger generations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-sports-agency-survey-finds-sports-club-membership-impacts-physical-strength

### 2026-10-11: Japan Sports Agency reports declining fitness in women aged 30–40

A Japan Sports Agency survey shows declining physical fitness in women aged 30–40 and men in their 40s, driven by reduced exercise opportunities and the burdens of work and childcare.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-sports-agency-reports-declining-fitness-in-women-aged-3040

### 2026-10-07: Japan survey shows 83% of adults feel decline in physical strength

A Japanese survey shows 82.9% of adults feel a decline in physical strength compared to five years ago, with only 37.5% actively practicing maintenance or recovery methods.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-survey-shows-83-of-adults-feel-decline-in-physical-strength

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Cite as: Physical fitness decline in Japan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/physical-fitness-decline-in-japan