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Note: The wording was changed in this survey. (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
Q33 We'd like to ask you about "volunteer activities," in which you would offer your own time for the sake of other people and society, aside from your main job.
Are you currently or have you previously been involved in such volunteer activities?
(Note to the interviewer: excluding those that are required by school or incorporated in the social system)- I am currently involved
- I was involved previously, but not now
- I have never been involved
- Don't know/no answer
In Japan, 3.3% of the respondents said that they were currently participating in voluntary activities. Adding 31.7% of those saying that they had participated in such activities in the past, it was found that 35.0% had an experience of voluntary activity.
When compared with the previous survey, the number of respondents who indicated they had been involved previously increased from 22.2% to 31.7%, and those who said that they had never been involved decreased from 74.7% to 63.2%.
When compared with other countries, the number of respondents who said they 'were currently involved' was high in the U.S., cited by 21.0%, and in Sweden, cited by 19.9%. In terms of the number of respondents who said that either they 'were currently involved' or 'had been involved previously,' the top three (in descending order) were the U.S., Korea and Sweden. (Figure 5-5)
Figure 5-5 Volunteer Activities (Country Comparison) 
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Note: This question was separated from the previous survey (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
Q34 Are you interested in volunteer work? - Yes (Go to Q35)
- No
- Don't know/no answer
In Japan, the number of respondents who indicated that they were not interested in volunteer work (46.8%) exceeded that of those who were interested (42.9%).
When compared with other countries, the number of respondents who indicated that they were interested in volunteer activities was high in Korea, the U.S., and Sweden. In these countries, more respondents were interested than not interested. In Japan and in Germany, however, the number of respondents that said that they 'were not interested' in volunteer activities exceeded that of those who 'were interested.' In Germany, over 60% said that they were not interested in volunteer activities. (Figure 5-6)
Figure 5-6 Interest in Volunteer Activities (Country Comparison) 
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Note: This question was separated from the previous survey. (See List of Changes in Questionnaire)
(For those who answered 'Yes' in Q34) Q35 Why are you interested? Please select all applicable answers.
(multiple answers)- I want to improve my local community or society
- I want to help people in trouble
- I want to learn new skills and capabilities and gain experience
- I want to discover what I really want to do in life
- I want to meet different kinds of people
- It would be advantageous for going on in school or getting a job
- I want to make effective use of my free time
- Because the people around me are doing it
- Other ( )
- Don't know/no answer
In Japan, the top motivation cited was 'to help people in trouble' at 61.3%, followed in descending order by 'meet different people' (53.0%), 'learn new skills and gain experience' (31.3%), 'improve my local community or society' (26.4%), and 'discover what I really want to do in life' (21.9%).
Looking at the other countries surveyed, the top reason of the Japanese respondents, 'to help people in trouble,' was also top in Korea and the U.S. 'To learn new skills and gain experience' was top in Sweden, 'to meet a variety of people' was top in Germany. 'To make effective use of my free time' was ranked high in all countries except for Japan. (Table 5-4)
Table 5-4 Reason for Interest in Volunteer Activities (Country Comparison) 
Click HERE to Part3 Reference Data