The survey was conducted in March by Cosmo Health, which operates the senior-oriented market research service Cosmo Lab. It targeted people 50 and older and received 1,524 responses. The most common daily walking time was 10 to 30 minutes, at 31.5%. Next was 30 to 60 minutes at 29.8%, and 17.5% walk an hour or more. Together, nearly half walk 30 minutes or more every day. Meanwhile, just over 20% hardly walk or walk less than 10 minutes daily, which the source describes as a clear divide.
When asked what they bear in mind while walking, 61.0% said keeping their back straight. That was followed by being careful not to fall at 49.7% and taking long strides at 34.4%. The source says this emphasis on posture and avoiding falls seems to reflect a desire to remain as youthful as possible. The top two future concerns were an injury from a fall (50.7%) and not being able to walk long distances (50.1%). Just over 20% were concerned about each of not being able to travel anymore or needing a cane or mobility aid.
More than half of respondents said they exercise and stretch or go for walks so they can stay active in the future. The source suggests many are maintaining a daily routine to build strength necessary to keep walking. For readers visiting or working with Japan, this is a snapshot of health habits among older Japanese, not a guide to facilities or transport. The evidence does not say how these habits vary by region, income, or access to safe walking routes. It also does not measure whether walking replaces other exercise. Our reading is that walking appears to be a widespread and intentional part of daily life for many in this age group, but the survey alone cannot tell us how that affects visitors or workplaces.