The survey also found that the proportion of respondents who saw their summer bonuses increase dropped 2.3 percentage points to 10.9 percent.

According to the survey, 41.3 percent of respondents said they have no summer bonuses or failed to clarify the amount of such benefits.

The average budget for summer vacations stood at 82,723 yen for men and 80,029 yen for women. The amount for men exceeded that for women for the first time since 2006.

"A decline in summer bonuses resulted in purse strings being tightened" by consumers, said Yuichi Kodama, chief economist at Meiji Yasuda.

The survey showed that 30 percent of respondents support the introduction of the government-led "kids week" initiative to shorten long holidays, such as summer vacations, at public schools, with holidays created in other months, so parents can take more days off to spend time with their children.

Meanwhile, 46.7 percent did not agree or disagree with the program.

Of respondents with children who support the program, over 60 pct said they want the kids week to be set between September and November. (Jiji Press)