2016 CESA General Consumer Survey Report

The 2016 CESA General Consumer Survey Report provides a comprehensive analysis of gaming habits and lifestyle trends among the Japanese population. Serving as the foundational data for the broader CESA Game White Paper, the report aims to quantify the size and behavior of the domestic gaming market by categorizing users based on their engagement levels with various hardware platforms, including home consoles, mobile devices, PCs, and arcade systems.

The research methodology involved a nationwide survey of individuals aged 3 to 79, resulting in 2,869 valid samples, which were then extrapolated to estimate figures for the total Japanese population. Key findings indicate that there are 52.24 million home console owners in Japan, with 32 million classified as active users and 15.39 million identified as continuous players. When considering all gaming platforms, the total number of continuous players reaches 43.36 million. Notably, mobile gaming dominates the landscape, with 30.99 million continuous users on smartphones and tablets, representing the largest segment by hardware type.

Regarding hardware ownership and usage, the report highlights that the Nintendo DS remains the most widely owned console at 26.8%, followed by the Nintendo 3DS at 25.5%. In terms of active play, the Nintendo 3DS leads with a 13.3% usage rate, followed by the Wii at 11.9%. These statistics underscore a shifting landscape where mobile platforms have captured a significant portion of the gaming audience, while established home console brands maintain a substantial, albeit evolving, user base. The report serves as a critical reference for understanding the scale and distribution of the Japanese gaming market as of 2015.