Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

Sleep characteristics of young children in Japan: internet study and comparison with other Asian countries

Jun Kohyama1, Jodi A Mindell1, Avi Sadeh1

  • 1Tokyo Bay Urayasu/Ichikawa Medical Center, Urayasu, JapanSaint Joseph's University and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USAAdler Center for Research in Child Development and Psychopathology, Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|January 5, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Young children in Japan sleep less due to shorter daytime sleep, with differences emerging after 3 months. Fewer sleep problems were reported, despite more bedtime difficulties.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Cross-cultural Studies

Background:

  • International study identified shortest total sleep duration in Japanese young children (0-36 months).
  • This study compares Japanese children's sleep patterns with those in other Asian regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep characteristics of young children in Japan with those in other Asian countries.
  • To identify specific sleep features contributing to shorter sleep duration in Japan.

Main Methods:

  • Internet-based survey using an expanded Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire.
  • Data collected from 872 infants and toddlers in Japan and 20,455 in 11 other Asian countries/regions.

Main Results:

  • Japanese children had fewer nocturnal wakings and shorter daytime sleep compared to other Asian regions.
  • Reduced daytime sleep duration in Japan was observed after 3 months of age.
  • Fewer sleep problems were reported in Japan, but parents reported more bedtime difficulties.

Conclusions:

  • Short total sleep duration in Japanese children is primarily linked to reduced daytime sleep.
  • Key sleep differences between Japan and other Asian regions emerge after 3 months of age.
  • Further research is needed to understand the causes and impacts of these sleep variations.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm06:07

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm

Published on: May 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Self-Esteem and Culture01:26

Self-Esteem and Culture

Self-esteem, a core psychological construct, is intricately shaped by cultural context and varies significantly between collectivist and individualistic societies. In collectivist cultures such as Japan, self-esteem tends to be flexible, context-sensitive, and influenced by relationships. A Japanese student, for instance, may show restraint in formal settings like school but behave more openly among close friends, reflecting the flexible and dynamic nature of self-concept in such...
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development01:30

Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development

Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
Naturalistic Observations02:30

Naturalistic Observations

If you want to understand how behavior occurs, one of the best ways to gain information is to simply observe the behavior in its natural context. However, people might change their behavior in unexpected ways if they know they are being observed. How do researchers obtain accurate information when people tend to hide their natural behavior? As an example, imagine that your professor asks everyone in your class to raise their hand if they always wash their hands after using the restroom. Chances...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...