Pokemon Sleep is actually helping players in Japan get more rest

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By July 2023, when Pokemon Sleep was introduced, many considered it a humorous sideline endeavor. However, two years down the line, it’s been subtly creating significant effects in the real world, particularly in Japan.

During the two-year anniversary celebration of the app held in Tokyo on July 16, according to Automaton’s report, The Pokemon Company disclosed that Japanese users are currently spending an average of seven hours and ten minutes sleeping each night, which is an increase from the six hours and thirty-eight minutes they were averaging a year ago.

The 32-minute increase represents a substantial enhancement, yet even with an elevated sleep duration, Japan lags behind in comparison to the other six regions monitored by Pokemon Sleep – Germany, the UK, France, Canada, the US, and Italy.

Pokemon Sleep app boosts Japan’s rest time

It’s well-known that Japan has faced persistent issues with getting enough sleep. An examination conducted in 2025 revealed that adult Japanese citizens typically sleep for slightly more than six hours each night, which is almost two hours less than the suggested duration needed for optimal health.

Based on a study supported by the government and reported in The Japan Times, over 90% of workers express a requirement for at least six hours of sleep each night. However, only about half of them manage to achieve this amount. This issue is so severe that it has given rise to a term in Japan called “karoshi,” which refers to death due to overwork. In light of this context, even small enhancements like the 32-minute sleep boost offered by Pokemon Sleep can become quite meaningful.

As a dedicated Pokemon fan, I’m excited about Pokemon Sleep as it encourages me to prioritize my rest by offering unique Pokémon as rewards based on my sleep duration. It seems like this innovative game is subtly motivating people to establish healthier sleeping habits. My sleep type, whether “Dozing,” “Snoozing,” or “Slumbering,” determines the in-game rewards I can earn when I meet my personal sleep goals.

This app may seem straightforward, but it’s actually serving as a powerful motivator. In fact, it set a Guinness World Record on June 17 by being the most popular gamified sleep app, with over 14,929,563 downloads as of May 15, 2025.

Although Japan’s sleep hours are not yet improved, the introduction of Pokémon Sleep has positively engaged players who delight in capturing Pokémon during their dreams.

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2025-07-18 14:19