Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of interactions by e-mail with non-kin others among seniors living in Japan. The internet survey was conducted to 835 seniors aged 65 years or older in April 9-23, 2009. The major findings were as follows: (1) the majority of the respondents had interactions by e-mail with non-kin others, (2) more than 10% of non-kin others were whom they knew only names because they were "friends through hobbies or leisure activities" and "(former) friends at their work.," (3) the interactions by e-mail with non-kin others were likely to be superficial and limited to companionship, and there were a few instrumental or emotional support, and (4) females were maintained emotional ties with friends by e-mail via mobile phones than males.
