Is the post-pandemic return to "normal" making us move less?

During my years living in Japan, I've often thought about how long and demanding the workdays can be...and that goes for both grown adults and school students. There are a whole host of things that these long days and out of home commitments can impact, and exercise is a big one.

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A survey conducted last year by the Sasakawa Sports Foundation found that just under 70% of Japanese adults reported engaging in any form of physical activity (even something as simple as going for a walk) at least once a year. That’s a pretty significant milestone, as it marks the lowest rate since 2006. I feel like Japan is a place where health and longevity are often held up as models for the rest of the world, so the drop in exercise rates is a bit of a surprise.

What’s especially interesting is the timing. This downturn follows the government’s 2023 decision to reclassify COVID-19 as a lower-risk disease, essentially signaling a return to 'normal life.' But in many ways, that return to 'normal' may be part of the problem.

During the pandemic, life here (like everywhere) seemed to slow down. Remote work, online school, fewer commutes, and canceled events created rare pockets of free time. And for some of us, especially those of us living in the countryside or smaller cities, that time was used for walks, gardening, bike rides, and reengaging with the natural world just outside our front doors. Daily movement wasn’t always what I'd call structured or sporty, but it was present. 

Now as offices have filled back up and schedules are once again jam-packed, that version of wellness seems to be disappearing. According to Yosuke Mizuno, who oversaw the survey, people 'don’t have the time to engage in sports' because work and school have once again taken center stage.

Did you find you were more active during the peak pandemic years here, when day-to-day structures had a bit of a re-jig? Are there steps you take to be active even with a hectic schedule?