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Japan Ranks Last in Optimism — But Is That the Whole Story?
A simple restaurant review that says so much
A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through restaurant reviews in Tokyo. I found a place with positive reviews — “great food,” “friendly staff,” “cozy atmosphere.” Then I saw the rating: 3.2 out of 5 stars.
In most countries, a 3-star rating means “just okay”— nothing special. But in Japan, it often means “actually pretty good.” People tend to be reserved with their praise and set high expectations.
This way of thinking goes beyond restaurant reviews — it may also explain why Japan ranks last in optimism.
What the Data Says About Optimism in Japan
asked over 23,000 people across 33 countries:
“Do you think 2025 will be better for you than 2024?”
Japan ranked last in optimism.
Globally, 71% of people felt optimistic about the coming year. In Indonesia, that figure reached 90%.
Japan, however, was an outlier. Only 38% believed their situation would improve, while 63% disagreed.
The skepticism wasn’t just about personal outlook — only 28% thought the world economy would get better, compared to the 51%…
