Over 70% of Generation Z survey respondents want to track everything themselves in real time. Tendency toward visualization-oriented consumption patterns among Gen Z emerging against a backdrop of younger people who consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure, described as being “allergic to surprise.”
Majority of Gen Z credit cardholders check their statements at least once a week; vigilance is rooted in a desire to constantly monitor and maintain control over financial status and cash flow 

The Circular Economy Research Institute¹ (operated by Mercari) conducted a survey on consumption patterns and values by generation. The survey targeted 600 consumers ages 18 to 57.
1: The Circular Economy Research Institute is a survey and research media outlet operated by Mercari, Inc.  

A Mercari survey conducted in April 2023 revealed that Gen Z considers unexpected events as evidence of a failure, a phenomenon described as being “allergic to surprise.”² Two years after the previous survey, amid rising prices increasing pressure on consumers and a persistently uncertain economic outlook, Mercari conducted a generation-specific survey to analyze trends and new consumption behaviors and values.
2: Mercari, Inc.: Survey on Generation Z’s Behavioral Characteristics, Values, and Credit Card Use (April 2023)  https://about.mercari.com/press/news/articles/20230417_zgen-mercard/ (available only in Japanese) 

Summary of results One in three Gen Z respondents consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure The percentage of Gen Z respondents who consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure is more than double that of Japan’s “Bubble Generation” (people born 1965–1970) (Gen Z: 33.3% vs. Bubble Generation: 14.7%)  The trend of being “allergic” (averse) to surprise has continued since the April 2023 survey, where 30.0% of Gen Z and 21.3% of the Bubble Generation shared this sentiment Gen Z’s desire to control their cash flow contributes to stress regarding unexpected expenses Major sources of stress for Gen Z include “disruptions of monthly income/expense plans and budgets” (Gen Z: 57.4%; Bubble Generation: 45.7%) and “feeling unable to control cash flow” (Gen Z: 31.3%; Bubble Generation: 20.5%)   The tendency toward visualization-oriented consumption patterns is becoming more prominent due to people being averse to surprise 61.3% of Gen Z want to track everything themselves in real time, a 12.6% increase compared to survey responses collected in 2023 More than half of Gen Z check their credit card statements at least once a week. 12.2% check their usage statements every single day.  Features that allow cardholders to track their credit card statements in real time are now valued as highly as point rewards and campaigns. As many as 82.0% of Gen Z respondents reported wanting to use a credit card that allows real-time management of their statements after they use their card. This is prioritized alongside value-based factors such as high point reward rates (82.7% of respondents) and an abundant number of campaigns (78.0%). A reported increase in stress and anxiety induced by being unable to track statements in real time, compared to 2023, indicates rising demand for this feature.

The survey found that 33.3% of Gen Z (compared to 30.0% in 2023) consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure, confirming the ongoing trend toward people being averse to surprise.
Furthermore, this mindset has led to the emergence of people being more visualization oriented—a new value seen among Gen Z that extends beyond payment management to general consumption patterns.

This tendency toward being visualization oriented shows a desire among Gen Z cardholders to constantly monitor their current status and cash flow in all consumption activities in order to manage their finances closely by themselves. Specific reasons cited by respondents for feeling stressed by sudden unexpected expenses included “disruptions of monthly income/expense plans and budgets” (57.4%) and “feeling unable to control cash flow” (31.3%). This trend was especially strong among Gen Z.
Other behaviors and mindsets stemming from this trend also tended to be especially strong among Gen Z, more than half (52.2%) of whom said they checked their credit card statements at least once a week and 61.3% saying they wanted to track everything themselves in real time. 

In November 2022, Merpay began offering Mercard. The credit limit of the card is determined by the cardholder’s activity on Mercari, and management of the card takes place entirely within the Mercari app. More than 5 million cards have been issued³.

In March 2025, Mercari also launched Mercard Gold, which offers up to 2% point rewards at physical stores⁴, allowing more users to utilize Mercari’s unique credit system. Users in their teens to 30s make up approximately 40% Mercard Gold cardholders⁵. Given that persons under 40 account for only about 26.2% of all credit card contracts in Japan6, Mercard Gold has a relatively high usage rate among younger demographics.
3: As of June 30, 2025
4: Cardholders who make a total of 2 million yen in payments annually at physical stores receive a total of 40,000 points (equivalent to 2% of their payments). This is a combination of 20,000 standard points (1% reward) and 20,000 cumulative bonus points.  The bonus points are granted around the beginning of the second month following the achievement of the annual spending requirement.
5: Merpay Announces Usage Statistics of Mercard Gold (July 2025) https://jp.merpay.com/news/2025/07/20250718mercardgold/ (available only in Japanese)
6: According to the “Credit-related Statistics” by the Japan Consumer Credit Association, the breakdown of credit card contracts by age group as of the end of December 2024 is as follows:  Under 30: 12.0%; 31–40: 14.2%; 41–50: 18.6%; 51 and over: 55.2%     

Through features such as real-time status tracking via the Mercari app, flexible payment settings, and the ability to use Mercari sales proceeds (Merpay balance) for payments, Mercard will continue to provide a credit card experience that meets the evolving trends around visualization. 

Survey overview 

Survey period: July 30–31, 2025 Survey method: Online survey Target demographics: 600 consumers ages 18 to 57 from across Japan 18–26: 150 people (Gen Z); 27–42: 150 people; 43–51: 150 people; 52–57: 150 people (Bubble Generation)

Detailed survey results

One in three Gen Z individuals consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure 

Asked whether they consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure or experience, 33.3% of Gen Z respondents said “failure,” compared to 14.7% of the Bubble Generation. This indicates that Gen Z is more than twice as likely as the Bubble Generation to categorize unexpected events as a failure. These results suggest that the trend of being averse to surprise persists, mirroring the figures from the 2023 survey (Gen Z: 30.0%; Bubble Generation: 21.3%).

Graphic: Percentage of Gen Z and Bubble Generation respondents who “consider unexpected events as evidence of a failure” (grey = no; red and blue = yes)

Gen Z’s desire to control their cash flow contributes to stress regarding unexpected expenses 

Approximately 80% of Gen Z respondents said that they felt stress regarding sudden unexpected expenses. Asked why, some of the more prominent answers included, “disruptions of monthly income/expense plans and budgets” (Gen Z: 57.4%; Bubble Generation: 45.7%) and “feeling unable to control cash flow” (Gen Z: 31.3%; Bubble Generation: 20.5%). These answers demonstrate a strong desire among Gen Z to maintain a clear grasp of their own plans for repayment and to manage their payments.

Graphic: Responses to a question asking to what extent respondents feel stress regarding unexpected expenses (grey = no stress; red = at least some stress)

Graphic: List of reasons respondents selected for feeling stress regarding unexpected expenses
(red = Gen Z; blue = Bubble Generation)

The tendency toward visualization-oriented consumption patterns is becoming more prominent due to people being averse to surprise 

When asked about their values, 61.3% of Gen Z respondents said they want to track everything themselves in real time, a 12.6% increase from the previous survey. Additionally, 61.3% of respondents from the same demographic reportedly said, “I check the delivery status of food deliveries to see when they will arrive,” an increase of 12.0% from the previous survey. This reflects a growing desire among Gen Z to be able to immediately grasp and visualize the status of events across their various life activities. 

Graphic: Responses to a question asking respondents to select categories that resonate with their values
(blue = 2023; red = 2025)

More than half of Gen Z respondents said they check their credit card statements at least once a week, while 12.2% of Gen Z respondents check their statements once a day  

When credit cardholders were asked about how frequently they look at their statements, Gen Z was found to check significantly more often than the Bubble Generation. More than half of Gen Z respondents said they checked their statements at least once a week. Furthermore, 12.2% of Gen Z respondents reportedly check their statements daily, suggesting a strong tendency toward constantly monitoring their cash flow.

Graphic: Responses to a question asking Gen Z and Bubble Generation respondents how often they check their credit card statements

Features that allow cardholders to track their credit card statements in real time are now valued as highly as point rewards and campaigns with ample rewards 

82.0% of Gen Z respondents said they wanted to use a credit card that allows real-time management of their statements after they use their card, a request that is on par with value-oriented factors like high point reward rates (82.7%) and campaigns with ample rewards (78.0%). 

Furthermore, responses that expressed feeling stress or anxiety over being unable to track statements in real time increased significantly in the current survey (Gen Z: 68.9%; Bubble Generation: 51.1%) compared to 2023 (Gen Z: 51.5%; Bubble Generation: 41.0%). This highlights a growing demand for real-time visibility of credit card statements.   

Graphic: Responses to a question asking Gen Z and Bubble Generation respondents whether they feel stress due to being unable to check their credit card statements in real time (red = 2023; blue = 2025)

Through features such as real-time status tracking via the Mercari app, flexible payment settings, and the ability to use Mercari sales proceeds (Merpay balance) for payments, Mercard will continue to provide a credit card experience that meets the evolving trends around visualization.