Japan's 20-Somethings Choose Self-Investment Over Cars and Homes

SMBC Consumer Finance survey data reveals the ownership retreat and investment behavior of Japanese adults in their 20s as of 2026.

• Income threshold seen as necessary to buy a car: rose from ¥6M last year to ¥7M this year
• Income threshold seen as necessary to buy a home: rose from ¥9M last year to ¥10M this year
• Share saying cars and homes are unnecessary regardless of income: up from 12% to 20%
• In urban areas, roughly 40% have no intention of buying a car — three times the 2014 figure
• NISA (tax-exempt investment account) adoption among 20-somethings: 17.4%, down from 21% the prior year
• Share of 20-somethings who said they look forward to retirement: halved from ~30% in 2022 to 15% recently
• Monthly investment amounts are trending up (approximately ¥29,000 as of 2026)
• Panelists concluded that investing in oneself is the single strongest asset

2026-04-19 · Watch on YouTube

Japanese page: 20代の新マネー感覚、車・家より自分に投資