Overview

• Researchers surveyed 3,500 residents across Tokyo–Yokohama and Osaka–Kobe to analyze links between nature connectedness and well-being.
• The study found that both objective access to nature and subjective relatedness to it significantly enhance overall well-being.
• The benefits of nature exposure were most pronounced in socioeconomically disadvantaged urban areas, where stress levels are higher.
• Childhood experiences with nature emerged as a key predictor of adult well-being, emphasizing the importance of early-life exposure.
• The findings have spurred international collaborations to test green-space conservation and community engagement strategies in cities like Bangkok and Manila.