Categories
Wellness

Educational Costs, impacting life choices

A 2021 survey (1) found that both public and private education costs had reached new highs. The cost of 15 years of private education was 3.2 times the cost of public education.

Study costs, 15 years from Kindergarten through High School¥ m
Public only5.7
Private kindergarten, Public thereafter6.2
Private kindergarten and High school, Public at other times7.8
Private only18.4

Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, sports, Science, and Technology

In addition to the difference in classroom tuition costs, other normal school related costs (excursions and field trips, extracurricular activities, textbooks and supplies, commuting costs) are higher at private schools. (2)

However, the relative cost is markedly highest at elementary schools.

 PublicPrivateMultiple
Kindergarten¥165,126¥308,9091.9x
Elementary¥352,566¥1,666,9494.7x
Junior high¥538,799¥1,436,3532.7x
High school¥512,971¥1,054,4442.1x

In the case of private elementary schools, the cost of supplementary study expenses is notably higher, approximately ¥663,000 a year versus ¥245,000 a year. (1) The probable additional service being provided is keeping the children at the school for three hours or so after the end of normal classes. This targets the “First-Grade Wall” (3) which relates to children advancing from kindergarten to elementary school at age 6.

Kindergarten3 yearsAge 3-5Optional
Elementary school6 yearsAge 6-11Compulsory
Junior high school3 yearsAge12-14Compulsory
High school3 yearsAge 15-17Optional

Public elementary schools send children home mid-afternoon. Parents are then responsible for their safety. Choices include one spouse changing from full-time to part-time work, everyday private lessons, or sports activities outside school, or finding regular after-school care.

The private school option is an expensive one.

Financial planning needs to start as early as possible.

References:

  1. Public and Private education Costs in Japan Soar to New Highs, Nippon.com, January 11, 2023
  2. Private School Costs triple Public Education Level Through High School, Nippon.com, October 4, 2018
  3. First-Grade Wall: Elementary School Places New Burdens on Working Parents, Nippon.com, January 4, 2023
Categories
Wellness

Ikigai, but in Japan it is probably not work

The Japanese word Ikigai is known worldwide. It translates as the reason for living, one’s purpose in life. (1) Ikigai is associated with a longer life. (2) Please see our blog post of May 8, 2021.

Surveys (3, 4) of Japanese workers’ attitude to work indicate its relative lack of importance.

 JapanWorldwide
Importance of work in your life48%72%
My job gives me a sense of purpose38%57%

Source: Nippon.com (3)

72% of employees surveyed responded that they did not want to become a manager. (4) The reasons for this are shown below (multiple replies possible).

Reasons for not wanting a management position
No desire for advancement51%
Too many additional responsibilities50%
Increased workload43%
Not suited to management38%
Work is easier in current position25%
Would ruin my work-life balance24%
Salary would not increase proportionately23%
Satisfied with current situation9%
Don’t intend to stay with the company long-term8%
Wouldn’t be able to do the work I like7%

Source: Nippon.com (4)

This has implications for household finances. Previously office workers advanced with seniority, and the gradual increase in managerial responsibilities (being accountable for the performance of more people). Incomes grew steadily with time. This facilitated family formation and retirement savings. For the 70% of people that now wish to avoid advancement, incomes are less likely to grow.

It also suggests that many of Japan’s managers under the old system were performing management roles against their desire. This was probably associated with high stress.

References:

  1. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, 2016.
  2. Relationship of having hobbies and a purpose in life with mortality, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living among community-dwelling elderly adults, by Kimiko Tomioka, Norio Kurumatani, and Hiroshi Hosoi, March 5, 2016
  3. Survey reveals Japanese Attitudes toward Work, Nippon.com, April 19, 2023
  4. Management positions Lose their Appeal to Japanese Employees, Nippon.com, February 22, 2023