The Evolution of Dining in Post-pandemic Japan: A Balance between Tradition and Convenience

In the wake of the pandemic, Japan’s dining habits have undergone a seismic shift. According to a “Lifestyle Fixed-Point” survey by Japan’s Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, there has been a decline in the number of Japanese who prefer to cook from scratch. Simultaneously, there’s a noticeable rise in those turning to pre-prepared meals. This pivot in everyday Japanese life has evolved the culinary experience from “creation” to “utilization.”

Looking back at the survey’s inception in 1998, a significantly higher proportion (37.8%) of respondents loved cooking compared to those (21.0%) relying on pre-prepared foods. But as societal structures transformed, there’s been a steady decline in cooking enthusiasts while the latter group has swelled in numbers. By 2020, with an added impetus from the COVID-19 pandemic confining people to their homes, the scales tipped. The survey recorded 32.4% of respondents regularly using pre-prepared foods, overtaking the 32.0% who enjoyed cooking.

Various factors contribute to this shift. Dual-income households, the increasing number of solo-living individuals, and the elderly find the task of cooking burdensome. Additionally, the growth of takeout options, advancements in frozen food technology, and the pandemic-driven boom in…