Mother’s Day Is Coming: “Gifts” Remain the Top Concern for People in Japan and Around the World

As Mother’s Day approaches, many people are once again wondering what to give their mothers. According to a Japanese survey and Google Trends search data, “gifts” remain the most searched topic related to Mother’s Day, while flowers, sweets, cards, and dining out continue to be popular ways of expressing gratitude.

TOKYO, JAPAN (MERXWIRE) – Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May in many countries around the world. As the holiday draws near, choosing the perfect gift for mothers has become a common concern for many families. According to a 2025 survey by Nippon Life Insurance Company, more than 70% of respondents planned to give gifts on Mother’s Day. Google Trends data also shows that “gifts” are among the most popular Mother’s Day-related searches both globally and in Japan.

In the survey asking whether people planned to give presents for Mother’s Day, 77.2% of respondents answered “yes,” highlighting the continuing importance of gift-giving culture during the holiday.

Google Trends data from the past month shows that the top related search term for “Mother’s Day” worldwide was “gift,” followed by “brunch,” “ideas,” “date,” “card,” “father’s day,” “flowers,” and “craft.”

The search trends suggest that besides traditional gifts such as flowers and cards, many people also plan to celebrate by spending quality time with their mothers through meals and outings.

Misaki Sato, a 32-year-old office worker living in Tokyo, said she chooses a different gift for her mother every year and plans to take her mother out for a special lunch this year.

“My mother is usually very frugal, so I want to treat her to something she normally would not eat. Spending time together feels more meaningful than buying an expensive gift,” Sato said.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old university student Kenta Yamada from Osaka said he plans to give his mother flowers and a handwritten card.

“When I was younger, my mother always took care of everything for me. Now that I’m older, I want to express my appreciation through a simple gift. Carnations may be traditional, but my mother is always happy to receive them,” Yamada said.