Changes in Friendship Relations of Japanese Youth

This study aims at revealing the changes in friendship relations of Japanese youth. In their everyday life, friendship relations are becoming more and more important.

  According to a recent report, “In response to questioning about when they feel their life is fulfilling, the largest percentage of Japanese youth answered "When I am with friends or companions" (74.6%)”. This is also the largest percentage among the other five countries (South Korea: 58.1%, U.S.A.: 64.7%, U.K.: 45.1%, France: 68.2%), and that have basically increased from past years ( 1977~78: 50.1%, 1983: 59.2%, 1988: 62.0%, 1993: 70.8%, 1998: 74.0%, 2003: 72.5%, 2007: 74.6%). But in recent years, there are some interesting changes. The percentages giving "When I am by myself without being annoyed by anyone" (13.8% in 2003 to 19.8% in 2007) increased over the previous survey. (Naikaku-fu, 2009,  “The JAPANESE YOUTH :In Comparison with the Youth of the World, A Summary Report of the Eighth World Youth Survey,  http://www8.cao.go.jp/youth/english/worldyouth8-e/html/mokuji-e.html).

  This is so complex situation that is difficult to be understood, and our recent research also shows the same situation.

  In this study, there are two ways of approach. Firstly, I would like to review the hypotheses about the changes in friendship relations (e.g. the dilution hypothesis, the selective hypothesis and the homogenization hypothesis). Secondly, I would like to analyze the quantitative data, and reveal the present situation and the changes. The data was collected in Tokyo and Kobe in 2002 and 2012. Respondents were randomly sampled. Their age ranges from 16 to 29.

  In conclusion, it is revealed that the number of friends are increased but the diversity of that is reduced. It suggests that the friendship relations of Japanese youth have been homogenized.