-
Note: The wordings and options were changed in this survey. (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
Q26 Do you have any close friends, including a boyfriend or girlfriend? Please select as many as applicable. - I have close friends of the same sex
- I have close friends of the opposite sex
- I have a boyfriend or girlfriend
- I have no close friends (Skip to Q29)
- Don't know/no answer (Skip to Q29)
In Japan, only 2.0% of the respondents said they had 'no close friends.' Most said they did have close friends (96.7%), with 94.8% having close friends of the same sex, 43.7% having close friends of the opposite sex, and 26.4% having a boyfriend or girlfriend.
When compared with other countries, high percentage of the respondents in the U.S. and Sweden said that they had close friends of the opposite sex. The percentage of the respondents having a boyfriend or girlfriend was high in Germany. (Table 4-1)
Table 4-1 Close Friends (Country Comparison) 
Click HERE to Part3 Reference Data
-
Note: The target respondents and options were changed in this survey. (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
(To those who have close friends, including a boyfriend or girlfriend, answers 1-3 in Q 26) Q27 How did you get to know your close friends? Please select as many as applicable. - We met at school/ university
- We met at work (including part-time jobs)
- We met in a public place, such as on a bus, the subway, restaurant or cafe, park, etc.
- We met on a trip
- We met in my neighborhood
- We met through a club or group outside of school
- We come from the same hometown
- We are related
- We met on the Internet
- None of the above is applicable
- Don't know/no answer
In Japan, an overwhelming majority of 91.5% said that they met their friends at school/university. Common answers were 'at work (including part-time jobs)' (36.6%), 'through a club or group outside of school' (16.2%), 'in my neighborhood' (12.3%), and 'from the same hometown' (7.6%).
When looking at the changes over the years, the top five responses have remained the same since the fifth survey. (Table 4-2)
Table 4-2 How Did You Become Friends? (Changes over the years, Japan) 
In comparison with other countries, 'at school/university' was ranked at the top in all countries. 'At work' came in second in both Japan and the U.S. 'Through a club or group' was ranked second in Korea and Germany. The second most frequently cited reason in Sweden was 'from the same hometown.' The top five answers were the same in all five countries. (Table 4-3)
Table 4-3 How Did You Become Friends? (Country Comparison) 
Click HERE to Part3 Reference Data
-
Note: The target respondents and wordings were changed in this survey. (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
(To those who have close friends, including a boyfriend or girlfriend, answers 1-3 in Q 26) Q28 Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your relationship with your friends, including your boyfriend or girlfriend? - Satisfied
- Somewhat satisfied
- Somewhat dissatisfied
- Dissatisfied
- Don't know / no answer
In Japan, nearly all respondents (98.1%) indicated that they were 'satisfied' to some extent, with 72.0% saying that they were 'satisfied' and 26.1% saying 'somewhat satisfied.' The total percentage of the 'dissatisfied' respondents was only 1.6%, comprising 1.5% of 'somewhat dissatisfied' and 0.1% of 'dissatisfied.' When looking at the changes over the years, the number of respondents saying that they were 'satisfied' was increased largely in the sixth survey. (Figure 4-1)
Figure 4-1 Satisfaction with Friends (Changes over the years, Japan) 
In comparison with other countries, the 'satisfied' respondents accounted for more than 90% in all countries surveyed. (Figure 4-2)
Figure 4-2 Satisfaction with Friends (Country Comparison) 
Click HERE to Part3 Reference Data