{"id":11210,"date":"2026-10-29T18:41:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T09:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/?p=11210"},"modified":"2026-10-29T18:41:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T09:41:00","slug":"heisei-retro-japan-nostalgia-boom-gen-z-ux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/en\/blog\/heisei-retro-japan-nostalgia-boom-gen-z-ux\/","title":{"rendered":"Heisei Retro: What Japan&#8217;s Nostalgia Boom Teaches Us About Gen Z UX"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group uism-point is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"uism-point__label wp-block-paragraph\">POINT 02<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading uism-point__title\"><strong><strong>Allowing Users to Progress at Their Own Pace<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article uses Japan&#8217;s resurgent sticker trading craze and the revival of Heisei era retro games as a lens to unpack the psychology behind them, translating it into insights you can apply to product design. It&#8217;s written for teams and researchers abroad working on UX and product design for the Japanese market.&nbsp; Simply imitating the visual aspects\u2014such as \u201ccute,\u201d \u201cretro,\u201d and \u201ccollectible\u201d\u2014doesn\u2019t reveal why these trends resonate with today\u2019s Japanese users. The meaning behind the behavior must first be deciphered.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"smk-summary-box\">\n<h3 class=\"smk-summary-title\"><span class=\"smk-summary-icon\">\u2736<\/span>Article Summary<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"smk-summary-list\">\n<li>In Japan, sticker trading and new releases of Heisei-era retro games have grown into a social phenomenon, but these aren\u2019t simply faithful recreations of the past\u2014but reinterpretations with today&#8217;s cultural context.<\/li>\n<li>Behind this lies a psychological need to escape the fatigue of being constantly judged on social media, and to find comfort in experiences that can be enjoyed at their own pace.<\/li>\n<li>In product design, key insights include combining familiarity with novelty, creating low-pressure designs, and leaving room for each generation to interpret the product\u2019s meaning in its own way. When entering the Japanese market, it\u2019s more important to understand the meaning behind people\u2019s actions than simple imitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\"><strong>\u65e5\u672c\u3067\u4eca\u3001\u5e73\u6210\u30ec\u30c8\u30ed\u306b\u4f55\u304c\u8d77\u304d\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306e\u304b<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\"><strong><strong>Sticker Trading Tops the Spring 2026 Trend Rankings<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sticker trading, once a quiet pastime Heisei era (1989-2019) elementary schoolers kept tucked in the backs of their notebooks, has become a full blown social phenomenon in Reiwa era (2019-present) Japan, spilling into classrooms, caf\u00e9s, and social media timelines. In a spring 2026 trend survey, &#8220;sticker trading&#8221; ranked first <span class=\"sme-font-size has-sm-xs-font-size\"><a href=\"https:\/\/torihada.co.jp\/creatorspost\/4457\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(\u51fa\u5178\uff1aCREATORS POST\u30012026\u5e74)\"><span class=\"sme-text-color has-sm-gray-color\">(Source: CREATORS POST, 2026)<\/span><\/a><\/span>. Inpam, a company that designs and manufactures novelty stickers, saw order volume from January to July 2026 rise roughly 2.5x compared to the same period in 2024, driven largely by the so called <span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\"><strong>&#8220;Heisei Joshi&#8221;<\/strong> <strong>(Heisei Girls)<\/strong><\/span> generation (women now in their 20s and 30s who spent their girlhood during the Heisei era) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atpress.ne.jp\/news\/628829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(Source: Inpam Co., Ltd., 2026)\"><span class=\"sme-text-color has-sm-gray-color\"><span class=\"sme-font-size has-sm-xs-font-size\">(Source: Inpam Co., Ltd., 2026)<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Popular stickers keep selling out, and that very scarcity seems to be fueling even more demand.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\">Retro Games Going Viral on TikTok<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Something similar is happening in gaming. <em>Tomodachi Collection<\/em> (known overseas as <em>Tomodachi Life<\/em>) has been revived as a new title for Nintendo Switch, and a sequel to Rhythm Heaven has been announced for the first time in 11 years. These announcements have sparked a fresh wave of TikTok videos featuring gameplay footage from the original Nintendo DS versions<a href=\"https:\/\/tokyocheapo.com\/editorial\/japanese-gen-z-trends-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(\u51fa\u5178\uff1aTokyo Cheapo\u30012026\u5e74)\"><span class=\"sme-text-color has-sm-gray-color\"><span class=\"sme-font-size has-sm-xs-font-size\"> (Source: Tokyo Cheapo\u30012026\u5e74)<\/span><\/span><\/a>. New releases are pulling old titles back into the conversation along with them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Putting these two phenomena side by side:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"smk-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"smk-table-both\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Phenomenon<\/th>\n<th>Core Audience<\/th>\n<th>Notable Numbers \/ Momentum<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Sticker trading<\/th>\n<td>Women in their 20s\u201330s (&#8220;Heisei Joshi&#8221; generation)<\/td>\n<td>Orders up roughly 2.5x vs. 2024 (Source: Inpam, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Heisei retro game revivals<\/th>\n<td>All generations (Gen Z to Millennials)<\/td>\n<td>Original DS gameplay footage going viral on TikTok again (Source: Tokyo Cheapo, 2026)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The generations driving each trend, and how far they&#8217;ve spread, differ \u2014 but both share one thing in common: <span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\"><strong>something people once loved is being rediscovered and re-valued<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This pull toward analog experiences isn&#8217;t limited to the current boom. It&#8217;s a pattern that has shown up among Japan&#8217;s Gen Z before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\">\u201cNostalgia\u201d Alone isn&#8217;t the Answer<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you simply assume that these games are selling \u201cbecause people are nostalgic for the past,\u201d you\u2019ll misunderstand the reality.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both Tomodachi Collection and Rhythm Heaven are being released as new titles, not as remakes of past games. And these new releases are even reigniting interest in the original titles. Similarly, with stickers, the ways people enjoy them are expanding beyond simple collection to include trading and showing them off <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atpress.ne.jp\/news\/628829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(Source: Impam Co., Ltd., 2026)\"><span class=\"sme-font-size has-sm-xs-font-size\"><span class=\"sme-text-color has-sm-gray-color\">(Source: Impam Co., Ltd., 2026)<\/span><\/span><\/a>. <span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\"><strong>It appears that nostalgic themes are being used as new forms of play within today\u2019s social media and interpersonal relationships.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a previous article, we also highlighted how Japan\u2019s Generation Z enjoys analog experiences not only for their nostalgic value but also as \u201cnew discoveries.\u201d For a generation that didn\u2019t experience these things firsthand, it may feel akin to exploring an unknown world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n.smk-readmore {<br \/>\n  display: inline-flex;<br \/>\n  align-items: center;<br \/>\n  gap: 6px;<br \/>\n  background-color: #4C9F87;<br \/>\n  color: #ffffff !important;<br \/>\n  font-size: 14px;<br \/>\n  font-weight: 600;<br \/>\n  padding: 3px 15px;<br \/>\n  border-radius: 24px;<br \/>\n  width: fit-content;<br \/>\n  text-decoration: none !important;<br \/>\n}<\/p>\n<p>.smk-readmore:hover {<br \/>\n  background-color: #2c6350;<br \/>\n}<br \/>\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"smk-related-card\" data-url=\"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/en\/blog\/retro-revival-why-japans-gen-z-finds-joy-in-analog-experiences\/\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"smk-thumb\" src=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"smk-thumb-placeholder\">\ud83d\udcc4<\/div>\n<div class=\"smk-content\">\n<p class=\"smk-label\">Related Article<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"smk-title\" href=\"#\">Loading&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"smk-caption\">Explores why Japan&#8217;s digitally native Gen Z is drawn to analog experiences like vinyl records, film cameras, retro caf\u00e9s, and capsule toys, covering digital fatigue, the &#8220;emoi&#8221; feeling, and how they fluidly switch between analog and digital.<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"smk-readmore\" href=\"#\">Read more \u2192<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\"><strong>Why Are Millennials and Gen Z Drawn to Nostalgia Right Now?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question still remains; why now? One possible hypothesis is so-called <strong>\u201c<span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">evaluation fatigue.<\/span>\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question still remains; why now? One possible hypothesis is so-called \u201cevaluation fatigue.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Posting on social media is interactive to some extent. Whether it\u2019s the photos you post, the words you choose, or the clothes you wear, there\u2019s a possibility they\u2019ll be seen, compared, and judged by others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, in a survey our company previously conducted targeting Gen Z, several participants mentioned <strong><span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">feeling exhausted by the very act of posting on social media and the reactions it elicits<\/span>.<\/strong> It seems that the constant feeling of being watched and compared is unconsciously building up as a burden. Activities like collecting stickers or playing retro Heisei-era games\u2014which can be enjoyed at one\u2019s own pace without needing anyone\u2019s approval\u2014may hold a particular appeal precisely because they offer a respite from this fatigue. Of course, this is merely a hypothesis derived from the scope of our survey and does not apply to everyone. However, when designing products for Gen Z, it\u2019s a perspective that is hard to ignore.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\"><strong>Perspectives to Apply to Product Design<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This phenomenon offers three insights that can be applied to product design:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group uism-point is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"uism-point__label wp-block-paragraph\">POINT 01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading uism-point__title\"><strong>Combining Familiarity and Novelty<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In surveys targeting Gen Z that Uism has conducted to date\u2014focusing on games and character-based content\u2014it was not uncommon to hear of deep-rooted support for \u201cthings they know\u201d and \u201cthings they can enjoy with peace of mind,\u201d more so than even enthusiasm for new content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other hand, just as new \u201cHeisei retro\u201d titles are bringing old classics back into the spotlight, familiarity alone isn\u2019t enough to drive widespread adoption. It appears that <strong><span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">combining a familiar format with a single new element<\/span><\/strong> creates a sense of both security and enjoyment.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sticker collections can be continued indefinitely by adding more sticker sheets. Similarly, games from that era allow players to make steady progress simply by following familiar steps. Both offer the sense that efforts accumulate directly, proportional to what&#8217;s been done, without being subjected to comparison or evaluation by others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This sensation can be applied to product design as well. Techniques such as displaying a progress bar during onboarding or visualizing achievement status with icons and stamps are already widely used. However, if we reframe the essence of their effectiveness\u2014not as \u201ccuteness,\u201d but as <strong><span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">\u201cproviding a sense of reassurance that it\u2019s okay to keep going\u201d<\/span><\/strong>\u2014our design priorities shift.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-sm-gray-border-color is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-width:1px;border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Steps to Designing a System for Free Progression:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uism-steps-b04\">\n<div class=\"step\">\n<div class=\"n\" style=\"text-align: center;\">01<\/div>\n<div>\n<h5>Show the Cumulative Progress:<\/h5>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW149400692 BCX0\" lang=\"JA-JP\" xml:lang=\"JA-JP\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW149400692 BCX0\">Present a record of the amount of work or tasks completed so far in a visible, straightforward way.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW149400692 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step\">\n<div class=\"n\">02<\/div>\n<div>\n<h5><span class=\"TextRun SCXW211975108 BCX0\" lang=\"JA-JP\" xml:lang=\"JA-JP\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW211975108 BCX0\">Visualize Progress Along the Way:<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW127585982 BCX0\" lang=\"JA-JP\" xml:lang=\"JA-JP\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW127585982 BCX0\">Use stamps, checkmarks, or a list of collected items to visually demonstrate what&#8217;s been accumulated.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP TrackedChange SCXW127585982 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"step\">\n<div class=\"n\">03<\/div>\n<div>\n<h5>Provide Feedback on Small Wins in Real Time:<\/h5>\n<p>Acknowledge what&#8217;s been accomplished at each milestone to lower the psychological barrier to the next step.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much like the sensation of sticking stickers onto a sheet, it\u2019s often the case that being able to see at a glance <strong><span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">\u201chow much you\u2019ve accomplished so far,\u201d<\/span><\/strong> rather than flashy effects, is more effective at preventing users from dropping off. We also explain in detail how designs involving collecting and elements of chance boost user engagement in an analysis article featuring gacha machines (capsule toys) as a case study.<\/p>\n\n\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n.smk-readmore {<br \/>\n  display: inline-flex;<br \/>\n  align-items: center;<br \/>\n  gap: 6px;<br \/>\n  background-color: #4C9F87;<br \/>\n  color: #ffffff !important;<br \/>\n  font-size: 14px;<br \/>\n  font-weight: 600;<br \/>\n  padding: 3px 15px;<br \/>\n  border-radius: 24px;<br \/>\n  width: fit-content;<br \/>\n  text-decoration: none !important;<br \/>\n}<\/p>\n<p>.smk-readmore:hover {<br \/>\n  background-color: #2c6350;<br \/>\n}<br \/>\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"smk-related-card\" data-url=\"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/en\/blog\/why-are-people-obsessed-with-gacha-what-capsule-toys-can-teach-us-about-ux-engagement-strategy\/\">\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"smk-thumb\" src=\"\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"smk-thumb-placeholder\">\ud83d\udcc4<\/div>\n<div class=\"smk-content\">\n<p class=\"smk-label\">Related Article<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"smk-title\" href=\"#\">Loading&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"smk-caption\">Analyzes why Japan&#8217;s capsule toy (gacha) market keeps growing in a digital first world, using the behavioral psychology &#8220;Hook Model&#8221; and a UX design lens, covering variable rewards, physical rituals, and contextual &#8220;jobs to be done.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"smk-readmore\" href=\"#\">Read more \u2192<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group uism-point is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"uism-point__label wp-block-paragraph\">POINT 03<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading uism-point__title\"><strong>Allowing Generations to Find Their Own Meaning in the Same Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another interesting point is that while Gen Z enjoys these phenomena, Millennials participate in them with different emotions, such as \u201cenvy\u201d or \u201cnostalgia.\u201d While the spread of sticker trading is linked to Gen Z\u2019s values\u2014which prioritize \u201cfandom activities\u201d and connections with peers <a href=\"https:\/\/ecrunner.com\/2026\/06\/28\/sealbuum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"(Source: ecrunner.com, 2026)\"><span class=\"sme-font-size has-sm-xs-font-size\"><span class=\"sme-text-color has-sm-gray-color\">(Source: ecrunner.com, 2026)<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u2014for Millennials, it also serves as a gateway to reminiscing about their own childhoods.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when it comes to the same stickers or games, how they are perceived varies completely from one generation to another. Rather than trying to deliver the same experience and the same emotions to everyone, <strong><span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">leaving room for each generation to find its own meaning<\/span><\/strong> can ultimately reach a broader audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\"><strong>What to Verify Before Imitating the Japanese Market<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we\u2019ve seen so far, just because \u201cretro,\u201d \u201ccute,\u201d and \u201ccollectibles\u201d are trending in Japan doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll get the same response by merely imitating their superficial appearance. What\u2019s important is <strong><span style=\"background-image: linear-gradient(transparent 60%, rgba(255, 240, 151, 0.5) 60%)\" class=\"sme-highlighter\">understanding why these behaviors hold meaning for today\u2019s Japanese users<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Uism supports research that delves into the user psychology underlying these superficial trends, specifically for overseas companies developing products for the Japanese market. If you\u2019re looking to accurately interpret Japanese user behavior within its local context, please feel free to contact us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-sm-lighter-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-sm-lighter-gray-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n<style data-wp-block-html=\"css\">\n\/* \u30ab\u30fc\u30c9\u5168\u4f53\u306b\u30db\u30d0\u30fc\u6642\u306e\u8996\u899a\u7684\u30d5\u30a3\u30fc\u30c9\u30d0\u30c3\u30af\u3092\u8ffd\u52a0 *\/\n.service-border-card,\n.service-border-card-en {\n  display: block;\n  transition: box-shadow 0.15s ease;\n}\n\n.service-border-card:hover,\n.service-border-card-en:hover {\n  box-shadow: 0 2px 12px rgba(76, 159, 135, 0.15);\n}\n\n\/* \u30ea\u30f3\u30af\u90e8\u5206\u3092\u5857\u308a\u3064\u3076\u3057\u30dc\u30bf\u30f3\u98a8\u306b\u5909\u66f4 *\/\n.border-link,\n.border-link-en {\n  display: inline-flex;\n  align-items: center;\n  gap: 6px;\n  background-color: #4C9F87;\n  color: #ffffff !important;\n  font-size: 14px;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  padding: 9px 20px;\n  border-radius: 24px;\n  width: fit-content;\n}\n\n.border-link svg,\n.border-link-en svg {\n  stroke: #ffffff;\n}\n\n.border-link span,\n.border-link-en span {\n  color: #ffffff;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/en\/ux-research-strategy\/\" class=\"service-border-card-en\">\n  <h3 class=\"border-title-en\">UX Research &amp; Strategy<\/h3>\n  <p class=\"border-description-en\">Learn more about Uism\u2019s UX research services.<\/p>\n  <div class=\"border-link-en\">\n    <span>Learn More<\/span>\n    <svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n      <path d=\"M5 12h14M12 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n  <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\">References:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cSticker Trading Tops the 2026 Trend Rankings: A Sociological and Philosophical Look at the \u2018Emo\u2019 Exchange\u201d (CREATORS POST) <a href=\"https:\/\/torihada.co.jp\/creatorspost\/4457\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ufffc\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"up-right-from-square\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-up-right-from-square \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M352 0c-12.9 0-24.6 7.8-29.6 19.8s-2.2 25.7 6.9 34.9L370.7 96 201.4 265.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0L416 141.3l41.4 41.4c9.2 9.2 22.9 11.9 34.9 6.9s19.8-16.6 19.8-29.6V32c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H352zM80 32C35.8 32 0 67.8 0 112V432c0 44.2 35.8 80 80 80H400c44.2 0 80-35.8 80-80V320c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32s-32 14.3-32 32V432c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16H80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16H192c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H80z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cReiwa\u2019s \u2018Sticker Boom\u2019 Returns: As \u2018Collecting, Trading, and Carrying\u2019 Catches On, Novelty Sticker Orders Climb Roughly 2.5x Year-on-Year vs. 2024\u201d (Inpam Co., Ltd.) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atpress.ne.jp\/news\/628829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ufffc\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"up-right-from-square\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-up-right-from-square \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M352 0c-12.9 0-24.6 7.8-29.6 19.8s-2.2 25.7 6.9 34.9L370.7 96 201.4 265.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0L416 141.3l41.4 41.4c9.2 9.2 22.9 11.9 34.9 6.9s19.8-16.6 19.8-29.6V32c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H352zM80 32C35.8 32 0 67.8 0 112V432c0 44.2 35.8 80 80 80H400c44.2 0 80-35.8 80-80V320c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32s-32 14.3-32 32V432c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16H80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16H192c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H80z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&nbsp;&#8220;So Cute I Could Perish&#8221;: 9 Japanese Gen Z Trends in 2026\uff08Tokyo Cheapo) <a href=\"https:\/\/tokyocheapo.com\/editorial\/japanese-gen-z-trends-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ufffc\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"up-right-from-square\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-up-right-from-square \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M352 0c-12.9 0-24.6 7.8-29.6 19.8s-2.2 25.7 6.9 34.9L370.7 96 201.4 265.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0L416 141.3l41.4 41.4c9.2 9.2 22.9 11.9 34.9 6.9s19.8-16.6 19.8-29.6V32c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H352zM80 32C35.8 32 0 67.8 0 112V432c0 44.2 35.8 80 80 80H400c44.2 0 80-35.8 80-80V320c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32s-32 14.3-32 32V432c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16H80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16H192c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H80z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cWhat Comes Next After the Sticker Boom\u201d (a personal blog by an e-commerce operator) <a href=\"https:\/\/ecrunner.com\/2026\/06\/28\/sealbuum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\ufffc\"><span class=\"wp-rich-text-font-awesome-icon wp-font-awesome-icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-prefix=\"fas\" data-icon=\"up-right-from-square\" class=\"svg-inline--fa fa-up-right-from-square \" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M352 0c-12.9 0-24.6 7.8-29.6 19.8s-2.2 25.7 6.9 34.9L370.7 96 201.4 265.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0L416 141.3l41.4 41.4c9.2 9.2 22.9 11.9 34.9 6.9s19.8-16.6 19.8-29.6V32c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32H352zM80 32C35.8 32 0 67.8 0 112V432c0 44.2 35.8 80 80 80H400c44.2 0 80-35.8 80-80V320c0-17.7-14.3-32-32-32s-32 14.3-32 32V432c0 8.8-7.2 16-16 16H80c-8.8 0-16-7.2-16-16V112c0-8.8 7.2-16 16-16H192c17.7 0 32-14.3 32-32s-14.3-32-32-32H80z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-snow-monkey-blocks-section smb-section smb-section--fit\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"smb-section__inner\"><div class=\"c-container c-container--no-padding\"><div class=\"smb-section__contents-wrapper\"><div class=\"smb-section__body is-layout-constrained wp-block-snow-monkey-blocks-section-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><span class=\"sme-font-size has-sm-l-font-size\"><strong><span style=\"color: #4c9f87\" class=\"sme-text-color\">Related Articles:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-wp-oembed-blog-card wp-block-embed-wp-oembed-blog-card\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"o5NevG5N3V\"><a href=\"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/en\/blog\/how-japans-gen-z-is-redefining-social-participation\/\">How Japan\u2019s Gen Z Is Redefining\u00a0Social\u00a0Participation\u00a0<\/a><\/blockquote><div class=\"c-responsive-container-16-9\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cHow Japan\u2019s Gen Z Is Redefining\u00a0Social\u00a0Participation\u00a0\u201d \u2014 Uism\" src=\"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/en\/blog\/how-japans-gen-z-is-redefining-social-participation\/embed\/#?secret=Fnxce9Dm9k#?secret=o5NevG5N3V\" data-secret=\"o5NevG5N3V\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A look at how Japan\u2019s Gen Z is shifting toward self-directed, low-pressure participation, and what that means for designing experiences people can join and leave on their own terms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why is &#8220;Heisei Retro&#8221; trending among Japan&#8217;s Gen Z? Discover the psychology behind this nostalgia boom and what it teaches about UX design. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":11211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/uism.co.jp\/?p=11190","footnotes":"","wp-seo-meta-description":"Why is \"Heisei Retro\" trending among Japan's Gen Z? Discover the psychology behind this nostalgia boom and what it teaches about UX design.","wp-seo-meta-robots":[]},"categories":[382],"tags":[449,450,452,453,454],"class_list":["post-11210","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-japan-modern-trends","tag-heisei-era-retro","tag-gamification","tag-user-experience-design","tag-trends-in-japan","tag-genz","en-US","c-entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t<!-- All in One SEO 4.9.10 - aioseo.com -->\n\t<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Why is &quot;Heisei Retro&quot; trending among Japan&#039;s Gen Z? 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