Survey of drinking of Japanese adolescents

Professor Yoneatsu Osaki of the Department of Social Medicine, Tottori University Japan outlined data from nationwide surveys in 1996, 2000 and 2004 Japan has experienced a decrease in adolescent drinking prevalence since 2000 according to three national surveys carried out by Professor Osaki and his colleagues on junior and senior high school students in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

The number of self-reporting questionnaires returned by students in 1996, 2000 and 2004 respectively were 115,814, 106,297 and 102,451.

The results of the three surveys on prevalence of drinking were as follows:

Decrease in prevalence was greater among boys than girls and in senior high schools than junior high schools.

Popular types of alcoholic beverages were alcopops, shocu and beer and the proportion of drinkers that drank alcopops or shocu increased. Professor Osaki considered that having no friend was a protective factor on students drinking.The increase in the number of students who reported having no friends in 2004 indicated a decrease in the human network of students thereby decreasing peer pressure to drink.

Professor Osaki concluded:
“Japan experienced a decrease in adolescent drinking prevalence after 2000. A decrease in drinking prevalence in the family (father and older brother), the limitation of sources for obtaining alcohol beverages, and an increase of the proportion of students without friend may contribute to the decrease in drinking prevalence.” However, he did caution that the environment which promotes minor drinking, such as low price of alcoholic beverages and advertisements on alcohol beverages still exists and affects minor drinking. The Japanese government should emphasise countermeasures for preventing minor drinking.