News Tokyo rent hikes push more young Japanese back home

[thomas]

Skyrocketing rents in Tokyo's 23 wards have made independent living increasingly difficult, even for students. A 2024 household survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications found that single households under 35 spend approximately 136,542 yen per month on living costs, excluding rent. These costs are distributed as follows: food, 40,305 yen; utilities, 9,005 yen; medical expenses, 8,252 yen; and communication, 5,730 yen. When rent is added, many young people say living alone has become a serious financial challenge.

The survey also showed that, compared to ten years ago, the average monthly rent for single households under 35 has increased by roughly 6,600 yen, while other living expenses have risen by about 3,800 yen, adding around 10,000 yen to monthly outgoings. Real estate appraiser Masanori Taito noted that soaring condominium prices have driven up rents, and he expects rental costs to continue climbing gradually in the coming years.

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A survey by real estate information service LIFULL HOME'S of 1,693 men and women in their 20s from the Tokyo metropolitan area found that 37.7% live with their parents, 27.7% live alone, and 17.0% live with a partner or children. Smaller shares live with relatives (7.3%), with a partner (7.4%), or with friends (1.1%). Street interviews suggest that many in their twenties recognize themselves in the nearly 40% who remain at home. One 23-year-old from Gunma, who recently started living alone, said most of his peers still live with their parents. Another 22-year-old in Saitama who remains at home said that while she plans to buy a car this year, she has yet to contribute money to the household but intends to do so in the future. She acknowledged that once she starts sharing a room with her younger brother, the lack of privacy could become a disadvantage. The same LIFULL HOME'S survey found the top reasons for staying with parents were the desire to save money, inability to pay rent or living expenses, proximity to the workplace, wanting to spend on hobbies or "oshi-katsu" fan activities, the burden of household chores, and parental requests not to move out. One 24-year-old, Ranmaru Kishitani, said nearly all of these applied to him except for parental requests. He spends most weekdays at a shared office but returns home about twice a week for meals and family comfort, estimating that about 80% of his peers also live with their parents.

Rising Rents in Tokyo Drive More Young People Back Home

Average rents in Tokyo’s 23 wards have climbed to record levels, creating a situation where even student districts are no longer affordable for students.

newsonjapan.com