世論 What Japan Thinks

Recently, goo Research published the results of an opinion poll it conducted on the subject of children’s extra-curricular education. Demographics are sketchy – the only available information is that the parents of 1,026 children aged between 3 and 14 years old. For people with more than one child, I’m not sure exactly how they answered – averaging all children, picking one, or each individually. 41% of the children were boys, 59% girls. The fieldwork was conducted between the 14th and 16th of November.

I know that there is a big industry around children’s education, what with advertisements on prime-time television showing children aged just four or five intensely studying, an image that makes me and my memories of a stress-free childhood uncomfortable. When it comes round to my turn to have children, I’d like to say I want to keep my kids away from this sort of pressure; I’d only want to force, or at least strongly persuade a future mini-me to study music or dance for enjoyment, as it probably is the one thing I most regret not having any ability in.

For the English teachers in my audience, note that in Q3 almost one in five want to make their kids take English lessons, surely a business opportunity for you all!

Q1: How many extra-curricular subjects is your child currently learning? (Sample size=1,026)

One subject	31%
Two subjects	28%
Three subjects	13%
Four subjects	3%
Five or more subjects	0%
None	25%
Don’t know	0%

Q2: Which of the following is your child studying? (Sample size=774, multiple answer)

Cram school	32%
Piano, organ, violin or other musical instruments	32%
Swimming	26%
English	20%
Calligraphy	13%
Aerobics, sports club	12%
Martial arts	9%
Football (soccer)	9%
Ballet, dance	6%
Tennis	3%
Painting	2%
Baseball	2%
Other	15%

Q3: Do you want your child to learn something else? (Sample size=perhaps 774, up to three answers)

English	21%
Cram school	15%
Swimming	14%
Martial arts	12%
Piano, organ, violin or other musical instruments	11%
Calligraphy	9%
Aerobics, sports club	5%
Ballet, dance	5%
Painting	3%
Football (soccer)	3%
Baseball	3%
Tennis	3%
Other	3%
Nothing in particular	37%

Q4: Why is your child learning these things? (Sample size=774, up to three answers)

To improve physical ability	46%
Child said him/herself that they wanted to go	45%
To improve appreciation of the arts or culture	30%
Raise academic level (other than specific test goals)	29%
To study for tests	15%
Lots of friends are also studying	6%
Occupies the child’s time	3%
Recommendation from friends or parents	3%
Other	5%

Q5: How often does your child study these things? (Sample size=774)

Once a week	28%
Twice a week	27%
Thrice a week	22%
Four times a week	12%
Five to nine times a week	9%
Ten or more times a week	0%
Once every two weeks	1%
Once every three weeks	0%
Once a month	0%
Other	1%

Q6: How much do you spend per month on the lessons? (Sample size=774)

Up to 5,000 yen	13%
5,000 to 10,000 yen	32%
10,000 to 30,000 yen	43%
30,000 to 50,000 yen	9%
50,000 to 100,000 yen	2%
100,000 to 200,000 yen	0%
200,000 yen or more	0%
Don’t know	1%

Q7: Why did you pick the class your child attends? (Sample size=774, multiple answer)

Location	53%
Child wanted to attend	48%
Flexible times and dates	41%
Monthly cost	32%
Trial lesson	25%
Recommendation from friends	20%
Reputation	7%
Famous teacher or coach	3%
Other	5%

Q8: At what age did your child start cram school? (Sample size=children at cram school)

Up to 3 years old	1%
Kindergarten or nursery school	17%
First or second year primary	21%
Third or fourth year primary	19%
Fifth or sixth year primary	17%
First year middle school	13%
Second year middle school	8%
Third year middle school	5%
Don’t know	0%

Q9: In total, how much are the monthly cram school fees? (Sample size=children at cram school)

Up to 5,000 yen	4%
5,000 to 10,000 yen	23%
10,000 to 30,000 yen	52%
30,000 to 50,000 yen	15%
50,000 to 100,000 yen	3%
100,000 to 200,000 yen	1%
200,000 yen or more	0%
Don’t know	1%

Q10: How does your child usually get to the cram school? (Sample size=children at cram school)

Bicycle	33%
Parents’ car	29%
On foot	26%
Train	6%
Bus	4%
Train and bus or other combination of public transport	1%
Cram school bus	1%
Taxi	0%
Sharing cram school friend’s car	0%
Other	0%