Most Children Enjoy Reading, Survey Finds
Nearly seven in ten elementary and junior high school students in Japan say they enjoy reading, but many spend little time with books each week, according to a new survey released by the Hakuhodo Foundation’s Children’s Research Institute on October 8, 2026.
WhatsApp Image 2024 07 01 at 13.58.28 4cfca4e0
The online survey covered 1,200 students from fourth grade through the third year of junior high school. It found that 69.3% of respondents liked reading, highlighting a gap between children’s interest in books and the time they actually spend reading.
More Than 70% Read for Less Than an Hour a Week
Despite the positive attitude towards reading, the survey found that 55.2% of students read for less than one hour a week. Another 17.4% said they did not read any books at all.
Together, these figures mean that 72.6% of the children surveyed either read nothing or spent less than an hour reading each week.
The findings suggest that enjoying books does not necessarily translate into a regular reading habit.
Reading Interest Declines Among Older Students
The survey also identified differences between elementary and junior high school students. Overall, 72.8% of elementary school students said they liked reading, compared with 65.8% of junior high school students.
The proportion who said they did not read at all was also higher among junior high school students, at 22%, compared with 12.8% among elementary school students.
These results suggest that reading habits may become harder to maintain as children grow older.
Videos and Games Compete for Children’s Attention
Digital entertainment may be one factor influencing how children spend their free time. The survey found that 76.5% of respondents felt watching videos or playing games was more enjoyable than reading books. Meanwhile, 63.9% said reading itself was enjoyable.
Children who enjoyed reading most were more likely to spend longer periods with books. Among those who said they loved reading, 68% read for at least one hour a week. This share fell to 31.7% among children who said they liked reading or somewhat liked it.
Books Still Offer an Important Source of Learning
The survey found that children read a wide range of materials, including novels, manga, educational comics, reference books and illustrated encyclopedias. Stories and novels were the most commonly reported type, followed closely by manga.
Among children who enjoyed reading, popular reasons included becoming absorbed in a story and learning something new. The researchers also noted that videos, anime, games, television and films can introduce children to books and encourage further interest in a subject.
Schools can play an important role by helping children access books, including those who may not have regular reading opportunities at home.
Final Word
The survey shows that reading remains popular among many children in Japan, but limited time and competition from other forms of entertainment may be affecting their habits. Making books accessible at school and at home, while helping children discover stories that match their interests, could encourage them to read more regularly.
