Japanese Seniors Opt for AI Over Children or Friends for Confiding

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer solely used for work and technology. In Japan, nearly half of women aged 60 to 70 report feeling more comfortable seeking relationship advice from AI than from humans. The findings come from a survey released by the Japan Institute for Promotion of Digital Economy and Community in late May 2026. According to Space Daily (24 May 2026), 47.8% of Japanese elderly women chose to consult AI for interpersonal relationship issues. This figure is higher than the 37.3% who prefer speaking to humans in the same age group. The phenomenon has drawn attention as elderly women are the only age group in the survey that prefers AI over humans. Overall, 45.8% of respondents feel more comfortable consulting humans, while 36.5% opt for AI. However, different results emerged among elderly women. According to Turkiye Today (24 May 2026), many respondents chose AI for being perceived as more objective and non-judgmental. Atsushi Nakagomi, a researcher from Chiba University studying AI and human health, expressed surprise at the survey results. ‘AI makes people feel more comfortable opening up because they don’t have to worry about how their words will be judged,’ Nakagomi said. He added that AI provides a safer space to discuss personal and relational issues.