[Updated for 2026] What Is the True Nature of the “Sense of Discomfort” That Has Been Rapidly Increasing in Japan Lately? 30 Real Testimonials from Seniors and Dramatic Changes in Society

Is Something Off About Japan These Days? The True Nature of the “Uneasiness” Ordinary People Feel

“I feel like public safety and manners have changed compared to the past.”

“Digitalization has progressed so far that, ironically, I find myself getting more and more confused.”

In recent years, there have been more and more moments in everyday life when I feel that “something is different from before” or that “there’s something off about society as a whole.”

Behind this lie multiple factors that are intricately intertwined, including rapid advances in AI and technology, a sharp increase in foreign tourists and residents, changes in the economic environment—such as rising prices and the introduction of the new NISA—as well as shifts in interpersonal relationships and climate.

In this article, we’ve independently compiled and analyzed 30 real-life testimonials from seniors (ages 50 to 70 and older).
Through the “raw, honest opinions” of everyday people—which cannot be fully captured by news reports or statistical data alone—we unravel the nature of the growing sense of unease in modern Japan, organizing our findings into five themes.

1. A Sense of Disconnect Between Daily Life and Safety: Everyday Dangers and the Erosion of Rules

In Japan—once hailed as the “safest country in the world”—concerns about public safety and traffic etiquette are surging.

Increase in Traffic Incidents Involving Foreign Drivers

• [Review
  ] “It’s really scary when foreign tourists driving rental cars suddenly dart out at tourist spots in Hokkaido and Okinawa. I’ve had my heart skip a beat many times when I’ve seen them pull into intersections without traffic lights without slowing down.”
• [Background and Analysis] With the rapid increase in the number of
  foreign visitors to Japan, the accident rate among drivers holding international driver’s licenses is on the rise.
  Language barriers and a lack of understanding of traffic rules are direct factors threatening the safety of local residents.

The Rise of Electric Kick Scooters and the Decline of Public Etiquette

• [Review
  ] “I often see electric kick scooters zooming down the sidewalk at breakneck speeds. Some people don’t even wear helmets and run red lights—it’s way too dangerous.”
• [Background and Analysis] While
  legal reforms have made it easier to ride these vehicles, the development of traffic rules and driving awareness has not kept pace, causing significant stress for pedestrians and drivers.

A New Method of Vehicle Theft: “Delay Attack”

• [Review
  ] “I heard that thefts involving the exploitation of smart key signals are on the rise, so I started keeping my keys in a metal can in the room farthest from the front door.”
• [Background and Analysis] As technology has become more
  convenient, security risks have emerged that exploit its limitations, making it necessary for individuals to take their own protective measures.

Wild Animals (Bears and Deer) Appearing in Urban Areas

• [Review
  ] “It’s not just in the news—there have been sightings of deer and bears in residential neighborhoods nearby, too. Maybe they’ve figured out that it’s easier to find food in town than in the mountains.”
• [Background and Analysis] The background to this issue is that, as
  rural areas become depopulated and the number of vacant homes increases, the boundary between human settlements and wildlife habitats (satoyama) is becoming blurred.

2. The Unease Surrounding Digitalization and AI: The “Impersonality” and “Contradictions” Lurking Behind the Convenience

While the spread of digital technology and generative AI makes our lives more convenient, it also leads to a lack of human touch and unexpected inconveniences.

“The Loss of Individuality” Due to AI-Generated Content

• [Review
  ] “I used to enjoy reading novels and other writing online, but lately, no matter what I read, the writing style and plot development all seem so similar that it’s become rather bland. It’s as if the human quirks and passion have vanished.”
• [Background and Analysis] As content generated using
  generative AI proliferates, there is a growing backlash against the resulting standardization of writing and the resulting loss of originality in expression.

Skepticism and Unease Toward AI-Powered Ads

• [Customer Review
  ] “Images of models and food created by AI are too perfect—they look somewhat unnatural. They lack warmth, and they don’t make me want to actually buy the products.”
• [Background and Analysis] Consumers are increasingly feeling uneasy about things that are
  “too perfect” and wary of discrepancies between products and their real-world counterparts.

The Chaos on the Front Lines Caused by “Smartification”

• [Review
  ] “Admission to events and exhibitions switched to digital tickets, but there were huge lines due to device reading errors. In the end, staff had to verify tickets manually, which defeated the whole purpose.”
• [Background and Analysis] Due to
  system failures and operational mishandling, a paradox has arisen in which digitization—intended to promote contactless interactions and reduce labor—is actually increasing the workload.

“Smartphone Ordering and Mandatory LINE Registration” at Restaurants

• [Review
  ] “They didn’t have any paper menus, so I had to scan a QR code with my smartphone to place my order. On top of that, I was required to add them as a friend on LINE, and it’s a pain to receive a flood of newsletters later on.”
• [Background and Analysis] While self-checkout and smart ordering systems were introduced in response to
  labor shortages, a lack of consideration for the customer experience and privacy has led to dissatisfaction.

3. Discomfort with the Economy and Money: Rising Prices, Widening Income Inequality, and Changes in Work Styles

Prolonged inflation and institutional changes are having a significant impact on people’s attitudes toward money and their life plans.

Rise in Life Insurance Cancellations and the Growing Popularity of the New NISA

• [Customer Review
  ] “I canceled a savings-type insurance policy I’d taken out years ago because the return was too low. I never thought the day would come when everyone at work and among my relatives would be saying, ‘You’re better off investing through the New NISA.’”
• [Background and Analysis] As awareness of the need to protect assets against
  inflation grows, the shift of funds from traditional safe-haven assets to investment trusts and other vehicles is accelerating.

“High-Priced Buyback Shops” Are Popping Up All Over Town

• [Review
  ] “Just when I thought the old-fashioned Western-style pastry shops and set-meal restaurants had closed down, the sites were replaced by secondhand stores. They’re popping up as fast as convenience stores, and I can’t help but wonder if everyone is selling their stuff just to make ends meet.”
• [Background and Analysis] Against a backdrop of sluggish
  real wage growth and rising prices, demand for turning unwanted items into cash (the need for reuse and cash conversion) is surging.

Problems with Part-Time Jobs (One-Time Hires)

• [Review
  ] “I’ve heard stories about people wasting money on transportation costs because of last-minute cancellations. It’s a shame that they can’t complain to the company because they’re afraid their ratings will drop.”
• [Background and Analysis] While
  flexible work arrangements are becoming more widespread, protecting workers’ rights and establishing rules for platform operators remain key challenges.

Banks’ “Shift Toward High-Net-Worth Individuals” and the “Parent Lottery” Inequality

• [Review
  ] “Bank branches in my neighborhood are being shut down one after another, and now there are only private lounges for the wealthy. With the new NISA, I feel like the gap among young people will become insurmountable depending on whether their families can fully utilize the tax-free allowance or not.”
• [Background and Analysis] Concerns are growing about polarization resulting from
  financial institutions’ cost-cutting measures, narrowing of their target customer base, and asset reallocation.

4. A Sense of Disconnect in Society and Human Relationships: The Erosion of Social Ties and the Rise of Loneliness

As social structures change and values evolve, the ways in which people connect with one another are also undergoing significant changes.

Sharp Rise in Diagnoses of Developmental Disorders in Adults (ADHD, etc.)

• [Review
  ] “I feel that even traits that used to be dismissed as simply ‘a bit quirky’ or ‘clumsy’ are now immediately classified as medical conditions or disabilities.”
• [Background and Analysis] Thanks to increased public
  awareness and more detailed diagnostic criteria, more people are seeking medical help to address the difficulties they face in their daily lives.

Isolation Among Young People and the Current State of Public Assistance

• [Review
  ] “I hear more and more about young people who don’t have parents or relatives they can rely on and are becoming socially isolated. I wonder if the safety net is functioning properly.”
• [Background and Analysis] The breakdown of
  family structures and the persistent high rate of non-regular employment are exacerbating poverty and loneliness among young people.

Rising Divorce Rates and the Trend Toward Single-Person Households Among the Elderly

• [Review
  ] “Divorces among middle-aged and older couples are on the rise, but I’ve heard that when people get older, they can’t even pass the screening process to rent an apartment when trying to start over. Living with a constant sense of loneliness is harder than I ever imagined.”
• [Background and Analysis] Although the barriers to divorce have lowered due to the diversification of
  lifestyles, many people still face practical challenges such as housing and retirement savings.

A Rush of Landline Cancellations

• [Customer Review
  ] “I kept getting nothing but scam calls and sales pitches—my heart would skip a beat every time the phone rang. I canceled the number I’d used for 40 years, but I also feel a sense of loneliness, as if a connection to society has been severed.”
• [Background and Analysis] As a precaution against sophisticated
  fraud, there has been a sharp increase in the number of older adults giving up their landlines, leading to a trend toward relying solely on digital communication methods.

5. The Discrepancy Between Climate and Health: Global Warming and the Trap of “Health Dependency”

Concerns have also been raised about global environmental changes and the negative effects of excessive digitalization in health management.

Summer Flu Outbreaks

• [Review
  ] “I was speechless when I heard that a class had been closed due to the flu, even though it’s the middle of summer. The old conventional wisdom that the flu is a ‘winter illness’ has completely fallen apart.”
• [Background and Analysis] Due to factors such as
  extreme weather, the increasing prevalence of air-conditioned, enclosed spaces, and changes in immune function, the seasonal patterns of infectious diseases are gradually disappearing.

Long Wait Lists for Home Repairs and Renovations

• [Customer Review
  ] “My roof was damaged by prolonged rain and sudden downpours, but when I contacted a contractor, they told me, ‘We’re short on workers and materials, so we won’t be able to handle it for several months.’”
• [Background and Analysis] As
  weather-related disasters become more severe, infrastructure maintenance is becoming increasingly difficult due to a combination of labor shortages and soaring material costs in the construction industry.

“Overreliance” on Sleep Scores

• [Review
  ] “I started wearing a smart ring for my health, but when it shows ‘Today’s sleep score is 45,’ my mood drops instantly. I’ve become so preoccupied with the numbers that I’ve actually started having trouble sleeping.”
• [Background and Analysis] As visualization technology for
  healthcare devices has improved, a counterproductive situation has arisen in which excessive stress related to data (the nocebo effect) is being generated.

Summary: A Sense of Discomfort Is a Signal That Reflects “Social Issues in Japan”

What became clear from these 30 real reviews by seniors is that this isn’t simply a case of nostalgia—a longing for the “good old days.”

• The Mismatch Between the Rapid Acceleration of Technology and the Speed at Which Humans Adapt
• The Tension Between Globalization and Local Rules
• The Aging and Limitations of Systems and Social Infrastructure
• Isolation Due to Weakening Social Ties

These factors interact in complex ways and manifest themselves in our daily lives as a sense of “discomfort.”

The sense of unease and confusion felt by consumers can be described as “valuable consumer-generated data” that allows us to quickly identify the challenges facing society.
Precisely because we live in an era of rapid change, it is essential that we listen to these voices from the front lines and take steps to update systems and implement appropriate safeguards.