Why Japan’s Kids Just Aren’t That Into Drinking Water

Japanese kid drinking water
With heatstroke season upon us, Japan abounds with reminders to stay hydrated. However, kids here these days are refusing to do the one thing that could most help: drink water.

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Japanese summers burst with vibrant matsuri, dazzling fireworks, and tropical beach days. But for locals, it also means scorching heat that doesn’t take a break. While daily life goes on, the risk of heatstroke stays high.

The secret to staying safe? Hydration—mainly, just water. Yet, oddly enough, Japanese kids are giving this vital habit the cold shoulder.

Water? No thanks

Picture: MIKAN / PIXTA(ピクスタ)

It’s heatstroke season in Japan, and TV bulletins are buzzing with hydration reminders. But experts are sounding the alarm: kids just aren’t drinking enough water.

The article “The Shock of Increasing Children Who Can’t Drink Water,” published by CHANTO WEB on July 18, highlights a growing concern. Experts say two to three kids per elementary school class refuse to drink water. Families and teachers confirm this trend, noting that kids find water too bland and prefer sugary drinks like juice and sports drinks instead.

Even more, kids dislike tap water—whether it’s due to the temperature, flavor, smell, or reluctance to drink from school water fountains. That’s why they need to bring their own water bottles with a daily supply. Luckily, this habit has been on the rise since COVID-19, when drinking from public fountains was prohibited.

A Thermos survey from January 2023 reveals an increase in students bringing their bottles to school, from 71.3% pre-pandemic to 80.7% post-pandemic. However, what’s inside can vary—from sugary drinks to tea or juice.

Don’t want it or can’t drink it?

The pandemic played a big role in the drop in tap water use at schools. Junji Hashimoto, president of the Aqua Sphere and Water Education Institute and a visiting professor at Musashino University, explains that the ban on tap water during COVID-19 led many to believe it was unsafe to drink in general.

A survey at Onkata Junior High School in Hachioji, Tokyo, found that most students (35) choose tea over water in their bottles. While this isn’t inherently bad, it’s concerning because it suggests kids might refuse water even in emergencies. Professor Hashimoto recalls a troubling incident this summer when kids at a Tokyo elementary school showing heatstroke symptoms still refused to drink water.

According to Hashimoto, many kids’ aversion to water—almost to the point of repulsion—could be problematic in emergencies when only unchilled water might be available. Families are echoing this concern. A 4th grader’s mother, interviewed by Livedoor, shared:

“My daughter says she doesn’t like water because it has no taste and refuses to drink from our home water dispenser. Whenever we go to a restaurant, she’s always asking for juice. So, I send her to school with barley tea in her water bottle.”

These facts suggest that the “don’t want” is becoming a “can’t” when it comes to drinking tap water, with many kids now refusing water altogether. Still, the reasons behind their initial aversion are somewhat understandable.

Water divide

Many children are skipping tap water, but what’s the story for the rest of Japan? The 2023 Brita survey on national water habits and preferences gives us some insight.

The survey reveals that while 46.2% of people prefer bottled water, a solid 38.3% still drink tap water directly. This suggests that tap water habits vary across regions. For example, Hokkaido residents love their tap water (75.5%), while only 51.2% in Tokyo and 25.3% in Okinawa feel the same. These differences are likely due to variations in water hardness and temperature, with Hokkaido’s water being the softest and coolest.

A Panasonic survey from 2024 backs up these findings. It reveals that northern Honshu prefectures like Aomori, Yamagata, Niigata, and Nagano lead in tap water consumption. On the flip side, Okinawa, Shiga, Nagasaki, Saga, and Kanagawa—near Tokyo—report the lowest consumption. Meanwhile, Kansai regions show the strongest reluctance to drink tap water, while Tohoku embraces it the most.

Such regional differences might explain why kids, mainly surveyed in Tokyo, turn up their noses at tap water. Water hardness varies from north to south, with northern areas providing a purer taste. While this doesn’t mean Hokkaido’s water is cleaner or safer than Tokyo’s, it might offer a more appealing flavor, especially for children.

Hotter than a summer day

Another reason tap water is falling out of favor is its temperature, which often feels lukewarm rather than refreshing.

WeatherNews meteorologist Yamaguchi notes that 2023 saw record-high tap water temperatures, hitting 30°C in August. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also reported that in 2020, tap water reached 28.3°C in August.

People have strong feelings about this too. A WeatherNews 2023 survey found that 77% of 12,460 respondents felt their tap water was more like hot water. Once again, regional differences were striking: only 40% of people in Hokkaido complained, while 70-80% in western and eastern Japan were unhappy with their tap water.

An NHK investigation revealed that in August 2023, tap water temperatures in Fukushima reached 24.5°C at 23 locations, the highest in a decade. This marked a rise of 1.5 to 3.5°C from usual figures. Kanno Takaki, Deputy Director of the Fukushima City Waterworks Bureau, commented:

“We haven’t seen such a big jump in temperature in a long time. In some areas, residential water pipes are buried only about 40 centimeters from the surface. The prolonged extreme heat likely transferred to the ground, warming the water in the pipes.”

Drinking water that’s warmer than the day’s heat can make tap water seem unappealing, pushing people toward bottled options. For kids, this often turns them off tap water, making sugary drinks their go-to instead.

A summer essential

As kids increasingly turn away from water, sugary drinks are becoming more popular. Though these beverages might seem like a quick hydration fix, some schools have banned them. Teachers interviewed by Livedoor News say the ban aims to prevent kids from surpassing their daily sugar limits and facing health issues like tooth decay and diabetes.

There’s another risk to consider. Professor Taniguchi Hidetaka from Saiseikai Yokohama Tobu Hospital is seeing more cases of PET (Plastic Bottle) Syndrome, linked to overconsumption of sugary drinks. Yet, only 31.9% of people know about this.

This syndrome, driven by high blood sugar levels, can cause intense thirst, fatigue, and sudden weight loss. Essentially, the same drinks meant to help with heatstroke might be causing new health issues. This is why Professor Taniguchi advises keeping daily drinks like tea and water separate from occasional ones like sports drinks.

Summer 2024 is set to be the hottest on record. Hydration remains the strongest defense against heatstroke symptoms, with options including tea, juice, and sports drinks. But when it comes down to it, water—especially tap water—will be your best bet or simply your only option. Getting re-acquainted with its taste and temperature might be a must.

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Sources

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