1. The 60 Minutes Is a Daily Total, Not One Continuous Stretch of Exercise
Imagine a child’s day: walking to school in the morning, playing tag on the playground at lunch, swinging at a park in the evening, and carrying packages as a helper at home after returning. All these activities count as "time spent moving their bodies." The text of the guideline states that it is desirable for children to move their bodies happily for a total of more than 60 minutes every day, focusing on various forms of play. This includes physical activity across the whole day, not limited to kindergarten or daycare centers, but also including activities at home and in the community [1].
The key points are "total" and "play-centered." Therefore, you do not need to use up all 60 minutes at once. Think of it as stacking short bursts, such as 5 minutes of tag followed by a 10-minute walk. But why was the number set at exactly 60 minutes?
2. Why Japan's Guideline Recommends 60 Minutes of Activity a Day
The reason cited in the guideline comes from a survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). The survey found a tendency for young children who spent more time playing outdoors to have higher physical fitness levels. However, more than 40 percent of these children had less than one hour (60 minutes) of outdoor play per day [1].
It is important to note that the "over 40 percent" figure refers to the proportion of children who did *not* reach 60 minutes of outdoor play. It is not the percentage of children who achieved it. Care must be taken not to confuse the two figures.
So, the 60-minute mark was set based on the current situation: there is a trend where more outdoor play correlates with higher fitness, and yet over 40 percent of young children are not reaching one hour. This survey does not definitively claim that outdoor play *causes* improved physical strength; it highlights a correlation and a gap in activity levels.
3. Why Doing Various Movements Matters More Than Doing One Type
Think about playing in a park. On the swings, you might stand or sit to pump your legs. In tag, you run, turn, and escape. With ball games, you throw, catch, and kick. These play activities actually mix many different types of movements.
The guideline organizes basic movements for young children into three categories [1]: balancing the body (standing, sitting, turning, hanging), moving the body through space (walking, running, jumping, climbing, sliding), and manipulating objects (holding, throwing, catching, kicking, pedaling).
The guideline states that early childhood is a period when nerve function develops significantly. During this time, the ability to control movement timing and adjust force grows noticeably [1]. Because of this, it suggests that play involving diverse movements is easier for developing these skills than continuing specific exercises. The focus is on building a foundation for enjoying sports and exercise in elementary school and beyond, rather than seeking quick results.
4. Does the WHO Count 60 Minutes the Same Way as Japan?
The World Health Organization (WHO) published guidelines on April 2, 2019, regarding physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep for children under 5 years old [4]. For children aged 3 to 4, the guideline recommends at least 180 minutes of total physical activity per day, regardless of intensity. Within that 180-minute total, at least 60 minutes should be moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. For children aged 1 to 2, it is also 180 minutes or more, regardless of intensity [4].
Looking only at the number "60," Japan’s guideline and the WHO’s guideline might seem the same. However, Japan’s 60 minutes does not specify intensity; it is a total sum of daily life activities. The WHO’s 60 minutes is specifically the portion of "moderate-to-vigorous" activity within a larger 180-minute framework. The things being counted are different.
A representative from the WHO reportedly stated that there is a need to "bring back play for children" [3].
5. Try Counting the Ways You Moved Your Body Yesterday
Reflect on your day. Try to recall scenes from yesterday where you moved your body, starting from the morning. Did you walk? Run? Carry a bag? Throw a ball? It is okay to add up even short moments.
After that, check which of the three movement types (balance, locomotion, object manipulation) was most frequent. You do not need to treat whether the total exceeded 60 minutes as a strict score. The purpose of counting is to see which types of movement you did more often.
If you want to read the materials, the guideline is available in Japanese on the MEXT website [1]. The process of formulating it is summarized in a notification document [2]. The WHO materials show the distinctions by age group [4].