A recent survey conducted by the Japanese financial giant SMBC has shed light on the spending habits of Japanese youth regarding in-game items and gacha mechanics. The study, which surveyed 1,000 men and women aged 20 to 29, found that 10.5% of respondents experienced direct financial hardship during 2025 because of their spending on video games. While this percentage remains a concern, it actually reflects a significant decrease from the previous year, when 18.8% reported similar struggles. This trend suggests a slight shift toward more cautious financial behavior among young gamers, even as the market for mobile games remains massive.

Increased Spending per User

Despite a 2.4% decline in the number of players who reported making in-game purchases compared to 2024, the average amount of money spent has actually increased. According to the data, 19.2% of respondents admitted to spending money on in-game items or gacha, with an average monthly expenditure of 5,080 Yen (approximately $35 USD). This increase in average spending indicates that while fewer people are paying, those who do are investing more heavily into their favorite titles. Furthermore, about 18.8% of those surveyed expressed regret over their past in-game purchases, highlighting the impulsive nature of gacha-based monetization.

The Global Impact of the Japanese Market

The survey results are consistent with broader industry data from 2025, which shows that Japan remains one of the highest-grossing markets for mobile gaming. While international downloads for Japanese-style games are high, roughly 70% of the actual revenue continues to be generated by local players within Japan. This is exemplified by titles like The Goddess of Victory: NIKKE, which reportedly earned 58% of its total global revenue from the Japanese market as of March 2025. The high Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) in the region continues to make it a primary focus for developers of gacha and live-service games.