I am compiling government-released statistical information. For more detailed data, please refer to the government statistics portal (e-Stat) or the statistics data published by respective ministries and agencies.
The frequency of face-to-face communication reveals a significant communication disparity among unmarried individuals.
This survey examined the frequency of direct face-to-face communication and interaction with family and friends among different groups categorized by marital status such as unmarried, married, widowed, and divorced individuals. The results are as follows:
The percentage of individuals engaging in communication 4 to 5 times a week or more averages at 16.5% overall. Among this, unmarried individuals have the highest rate at 22.8%, followed by married individuals at 14.1%, widowed individuals at 17.3%, and divorced individuals at 15.4%.
Conversely, the percentage of those communicating less than once a month averages at 15.6% overall. Unmarried individuals have a rate of 15.8%, married individuals 16.8%, widowed individuals 8.6%, and divorced individuals 13.0%.
Furthermore, the percentage of those reporting no communication at all averages at 10.6% overall. Unmarried individuals show the highest rate at 15.0%, while married individuals are at 9.4%, widowed individuals at 5.6%, and divorced individuals at 12.9%.
These findings highlight differences in communication frequencies across various situations—whether it’s 4 to 5 times a week, less than once a month, or no communication at all. Unmarried individuals tend to have more frequent communication, while divorced individuals exhibit a higher tendency toward feelings of isolation. Married and widowed individuals also show distinct trends within their respective groups.
| (1) Talk face-to-face | ||||||||
| How often you communicate with family and friends who don’t live with you | At least 4-5 times a week | About 2-3 times a week | About once a week | About once every two weeks | About once a month | Less than 1 time per month | Not at all | Answer |
| Full | 16.5 | 13.1 | 13.8 | 9.7 | 14.3 | 15.6 | 10.6 | 6.4 |
| unmarried | 22.8 | 10.0 | 10.9 | 8.6 | 13.1 | 15.8 | 15.0 | 3.8 |
| Married | 14.1 | 13.4 | 14.3 | 10.6 | 15.3 | 16.8 | 9.4 | 6.0 |
| bereavement | 17.3 | 21.3 | 18.0 | 6.1 | 9.7 | 8.6 | 5.6 | 13.5 |
| divorce | 15.4 | 11.5 | 13.9 | 8.7 | 14.9 | 13.0 | 12.9 | 9.8 |
Unmarried individuals experience a severe lack of communication via phone, while conversely, those who have experienced the death of a partner exhibit an increased frequency of phone communication.
“This survey focused on the frequency of communication using phone calls (including video calls). Let’s look at the proportions based on different frequencies:
Overall trends revealed the following results in terms of frequency of communication using phones:
The percentage of individuals engaging in phone communication 4 to 5 times a week or more is 8.1% on average overall. Unmarried individuals share the same rate at 8.1%, while married individuals are at 7.6%. Those who have experienced the death of a partner account for 11.0% in this category, while divorced individuals are at 9.8%.
For those communicating via phone 2 to 3 times a week, the overall average is 11.7%. Unmarried individuals are at 10.4%, married individuals at 11.8%, individuals who have experienced the death of a partner at 15.8%, and divorced individuals at 10.7%.
The percentage of individuals communicating once a week via phone stands at 13.7% on average overall. Unmarried individuals are at 12.8%, married individuals at 14.1%, individuals who have experienced the death of a partner at 13.3%, and divorced individuals at 13.0%.
For those communicating via phone once every two weeks, the average percentage is 10.5% overall. Unmarried individuals are at 8.3%, married individuals at 11.4%, individuals who have experienced the death of a partner at 7.7%, and divorced individuals at 11.5%.
Communicating via phone once a month stands at 14.2% on average overall. Unmarried individuals are at 13.0%, married individuals at 15.7%, individuals who have experienced the death of a partner at 8.4%, and divorced individuals at 11.8%.
From these findings, it’s evident that there are fluctuations in the frequency of communication via phone (including video calls) among individuals in different situations, showcasing varied trends among unmarried individuals, married individuals, and those who have experienced the death or divorce of a partner.”
| (2) Telephone [including video calls] | ||||||||
| How often you communicate with family and friends who don’t live with you | At least 4-5 times a week | About 2-3 times a week | About once a week | About once every two weeks | About once a month | Less than 1 time per month | Not at all | Answer |
| Full | 8.1 | 11.7 | 13.7 | 10.5 | 14.2 | 15.0 | 15.4 | 11.4 |
| unmarried | 8.1 | 10.4 | 12.8 | 8.3 | 13.0 | 16.0 | 24.8 | 6.5 |
| Married | 7.6 | 11.8 | 14.1 | 11.4 | 15.7 | 15.4 | 12.8 | 11.1 |
| bereavement | 11.0 | 15.8 | 13.3 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 9.8 | 8.6 | 25.5 |
| divorce | 9.8 | 10.7 | 13.0 | 11.5 | 11.8 | 15.1 | 16.5 | 11.6 |
Social media usage is higher among unmarried individuals and lower among those who have experienced the death of a partner or divorce. There’s an anticipated influence based on age.
“This survey delved into the frequency of communication using social media platforms, such as chats on LINE. Let’s explore the differences in social media-based communication among individuals in different situations and relationships based on each frequency.
Overall, 20.5% of respondents communicated via social media 4 to 5 times a week or more. The breakdown revealed 13.4% communicating 2 to 3 times a week, 9.8% communicating once a week, 7.5% once every two weeks, 7.4% once a month, 6.2% less than once a month, 19.8% not using it at all, and 15.5% not responding.
Among unmarried individuals, a significant 33.6% communicated via social media 4 to 5 times a week. Meanwhile, 14.6% communicated 2 to 3 times a week, 8.5% once a week, 6.4% once every two weeks, 6.1% once a month, 6.5% less than once a month, 17.6% didn’t use it at all, and 6.8% didn’t respond.
For married individuals, the breakdown showed 17.6% communicating via social media 4 to 5 times a week, 13.7% 2 to 3 times a week, 10.8% once a week, 8.3% once every two weeks, 8.5% once a month, 6.6% less than once a month, 19.2% not using it at all, and 15.3% not responding.
The trend indicates that unmarried individuals exhibit a higher frequency of social media communication, while divorced or bereaved individuals show a lower frequency. This disparity likely stems from the higher representation of younger individuals among the unmarried and older individuals among the divorced or bereaved. To accurately ascertain the cause, incorporating an age-based comparative analysis becomes imperative.”
| (3) SNS [LINE chat, etc.] | ||||||||
| How often you communicate with family and friends who don’t live with you | At least 4-5 times a week | About 2-3 times a week | About once a week | About once every two weeks | About once a month | Less than 1 time per month | Not at all | Answer |
| Full | 20.5 | 13.4 | 9.8 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 6.2 | 19.8 | 15.5 |
| unmarried | 33.6 | 14.6 | 8.5 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 17.6 | 6.8 |
| Married | 17.6 | 13.7 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 6.6 | 19.2 | 15.3 |
| bereavement | 9.0 | 8.1 | 5.7 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.6 | 29.4 | 39.6 |
| divorce | 18.3 | 12.7 | 10.0 | 9.4 | 7.0 | 5.8 | 21.4 | 15.4 |
The overall frequency of email usage is lower compared to other methods of communication. This is particularly prominent among unmarried individuals.
“This survey gathered data on the frequency of communication using emails and text messages (SMS). Let’s explore the differences in email and text message-based communication among individuals in different situations and relationships based on each frequency.
As an overall trend, the percentage of individuals communicating via email or text messages 4 to 5 times a week or more stands at 5.5%. Communicating 2 to 3 times a week accounts for 5.8%, once a week at 6.3%, once every two weeks at 4.8%, once a month at 7.5%, less than once a month at 12.3%, those not using it at all at 40.5%, and those who didn’t respond at 17.3%.
Focusing on unmarried individuals, the percentage of those using email or text messages 4 to 5 times a week stands at 5.6%, 2 to 3 times a week at 4.3%, once a week at 4.9%, once every two weeks at 3.9%, once a month at 6.8%, less than once a month at 11.7%, those not using it at all at 54.6%, and those who didn’t respond at 8.1%.
For married individuals, the breakdown shows 4 to 5 times a week at 5.7%, 2 to 3 times a week at 6.3%, once a week at 7.1%, once every two weeks at 5.2%, once a month at 8.2%, less than once a month at 13.4%, those not using it at all at 37.1%, and those who didn’t respond at 17.0%.
Individuals who have experienced the death of a partner showcase 4 to 5 times a week at 4.3%, 2 to 3 times a week at 4.5%, once a week at 4.3%, once every two weeks at 3.6%, once a month at 3.3%, less than once a month at 6.6%, those not using it at all at 31.2%, and those who didn’t respond at 42.2%.
Regarding individuals who have experienced divorce, the breakdown reveals 4 to 5 times a week at 5.4%, 2 to 3 times a week at 6.8%, once a week at 5.2%, once every two weeks at 6.2%, once a month at 8.3%, less than once a month at 12.2%, those not using it at all at 37.1%, and those who didn’t respond at 18.9%.”
| (4) E-mail and SMS | ||||||||
| How often you communicate with family and friends who don’t live with you | At least 4-5 times a week | About 2-3 times a week | About once a week | About once every two weeks | About once a month | Less than 1 time per month | Not at all | Answer |
| Full | 5.5 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 4.8 | 7.5 | 12.3 | 40.5 | 17.3 |
| unmarried | 5.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 11.7 | 54.6 | 8.1 |
| Married | 5.7 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 5.2 | 8.2 | 13.4 | 37.1 | 17.0 |
| bereavement | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 6.6 | 31.2 | 42.2 |
| divorce | 5.4 | 6.8 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 8.3 | 12.2 | 37.1 | 18 |
