世論 What Japan Thinks

DIMSDRIVE Research recently reported on a survey from the start of the year into taking lessons, excluding formal education.

Demographics

Between the 31st of March and the 15th of April 2010 7,833 members of the DIMSDRIVE Research monitor group completed a private internet-based questionnaire. 52.9% of the sample were male, 1.1% in their teens, 12.3% in their twenties, 32.6% in their thirties, 30.7% in their forties, 16.0% in their fifties, and 7.3% aged sixty or older.

I’m currently not studying anything, although I’d like to go to Go classes, as I used to play quite often when I was a kid. My wife recommends singing lessons, but I fear my tone deafness would try the patience of any teacher!

Research results

Q1: Are you currently taking lessons, attending a school, etc? (Sample size=7,833)

Yes (to SQs)	12.7%
No, but want to	45.0%
No, and don’t want to	42.3%

Women were more than twice as likely as men to be taking lessons, and while 52.9% of men did not want to take lessons, only 30.4% of women did not.

Q1SQ1: Why did you start taking lessons? (Sample size=997, multiple answer)

To improve myself	53.2%
To get qualification, licence	43.0%
To make up for a lack of exercise	20.9%
To enhance my career	20.3%
To get more into my hobby	16.8%
To maintain health, beauty, youth	14.4%
To imrove my skill	13.4%
Wanted to restart something I studied long ago	12.5%
For weight loss	9.9%
To fill free time	7.1%
Wanted to get more friends	7.1%
Quit work, retired, otherwise had time to spend	6.6%
Classroom was nearby	5.4%
To start my own business	5.1%
Needed for work	4.7%
Children grewnup	4.6%
Friends, family recommended it	4.4%
Saw it on TV, in magazine	3.7%
Thought it would be attractive to the opposite sex	1.9%
Wanted to meet potential partners	1.5%
Other	1.8%
No particular reason	3.4%

Q1SQ2: What are you currently taking lessons in? (Sample size=997, multiple answer)

	All	Male N=328	Female N=669
English	16.1%	22.0%	13.3%
Yoga, hot yoga, pilates	12.3%	6.1%	15.4%
Dance	8.2%	4.3%	10.2%
Flower arranging, ikebana, tea ceremony	7.5%	2.1%	10.2%
Cooking, confectionery, bread	6.5%	2.4%	8.5%
Calligraphy, handwriting	6.1%	5.2%	6.6%
Swimming	5.6%	6.7%	5.1%
Computer	5.5%	9.5%	3.6%
Tennis	4.7%	5.8%	4.2%
Other language	4.2%	6.7%	3.0%

Q1SQ3: How long have you been taking lessons for your current subjects? (Sample size=997)

Less than three months	12.5%
3 to 6 months	8.5%
6 months to a year	10.3%
1 to 2 years	14.1%
2 to 3 years	11.6%
3 to 4 years	8.2%
4 to 5 years	4.8%
5 years or more	29.8%

Q1SQ4: How often do you attend lessons? (Sample size=997)

Three or more times a week	12.3%
Twice a week	12.9%
Once a week	41.1%
Twice or thrice a month	19.9%
Once a month	9.6%
Less than that	4.1%

Q1SQ5: How much does it cost per lesson? (Sample size=997)

Under 1,000 yen	21.2%
1,000 to 1,999 yen	19.9%
2,000 to 2,999 yen	20.7%
3,000 to 3,999 yen	12.4%
4,000 to 4,999 yen	6.6%
5,000 to 5,999 yen	6.1%
6,000 to 6,999 yen	1.9%
7,000 to 7,999 yen	2.1%
8,000 to 8,999 yen	1.1%
9,000 to 9,999 yen	1.4%
10,000 yen or more	6.6%

Q1SQ6: How did you come across the school that you attend? (Sample size=997, multiple answer)

Family, friends word of mouth, introduction	39.3%
Knew about a close at hand location	26.0%
Through the internet	24.6%
Newspaper, leaflet, magazine advertisement	14.4%
School, work recommended it	4.3%
Advertisement in supermarket, store, public facility	3.5%
Television advertisement	3.4%
Other	6.6%
Don’t remember, don’t know	3.8%

Q2: What would you most want to (continue to) take lessons in? (Sample size=7,833)

English	14.8%
Computer	8.3%
Yoga, hot yoga, pilates	5.8%
Cooking, confectionery, bread	5.6%
Piano	3.4%
Calligraphy, handwriting	3.4%
Medical, care	3.2%
Golf	2.7%
Other language	2.6%
Finance, shares	2.5%
Swimming	2.4%
Painting, photography	2.2%
Knitting, handicraft	2.2%
Psychaitry, counselling	2.0%
Guitar	1.9%
Korean	1.9%
Aromatherapy, nail styling, makeup, reflexology	1.5%
Dance	1.5%
Tennis	1.4%
Voice training	1.3%