Life and Social Reality in Japan: Economic, Educational, and Employment Realities

Life and Thoughts of Japanese Families

In Japan, most households have 1 to 2 children. Like in Vietnam, Japanese people generally do not wish to have many children. According to statistics, 58.2% are concerned about education costs, 50.1% feel they lack the economic means to raise children, and 44.7% find it difficult to balance work and child-rearing. Currently, 57.2% of households have both husband and wife working. When there are young children, the wife often has to quit her job to take care of them, and returning to her previous job is not easy.

The average monthly income of a Japanese household is about $4,400. However, income tax, residence tax, and various insurance premiums (such as unemployment insurance, health insurance, and pension insurance) account for 16.5% of the income. The law requires all citizens to join health insurance, those over 20 to join pension insurance, and full-time employees to join unemployment insurance.

Food expenses are also a significant cost for households. On average, food costs account for about 13.4% of total income. Rice, the staple food for Japanese people, is ten times more expensive than in Vietnam. Besides fish, vegetables, and soybeans, Japanese people prefer three main types of meat: beef, pork, and chicken; they prefer seafood over freshwater fish; and they usually eat chicken eggs rather than duck eggs. Food in Japan is very expensive compared to Vietnam and many other countries. Housing prices in Japan are very high, so over 50% of households in Tokyo live in apartments. When buying a house, Japanese people typically choose a mortgage term of 20-30 years, with some companies offering up to 100 years. When the Japanese economy stagnates, the real estate market also slows down.

The current economic situation makes Japanese people anxious about their lives. According to a survey by the Japanese Prime Minister's Office, the top concerns for Japanese people include personal health, life after retirement, family health, and income, followed by education, job searching, and children's marriage.

Education

Elementary and junior high education in Japan is compulsory and free of charge. However, fees for kindergarten, high school, university, and vocational schools are required. According to the Ministry of Education, the total cost of education from kindergarten to high school graduation is about $38,000 for public schools and up to $69,000 for private schools. Although 91% of Japanese people consider themselves middle class, after deducting taxes, insurance, food, transportation, and education costs, they have little surplus. Thus, most Japanese people live in a state of "just enough" rather than "abundant."

The competition in education is a heavy burden not only for parents but also for students. Japanese children study a lot, with an average of about 6 hours of study per day. Classes at elementary, junior high, and high schools start at 8:30 AM, with each class lasting 45 to 50 minutes. After four periods, students have a one-hour lunch break before attending two more periods. After school, students must also clean their classrooms. From grade 4 onwards, students participate in sports and cultural activities at clubs (kurabu) such as baseball, soccer, basketball, kendo, judo, tea ceremony, painting, and music. Many students go to cram schools (Juku) after meals. According to statistics, 40% of elementary students and 70% of junior high students attend Juku. Due to extensive studying, Japanese children have little time for recreation, with junior high students spending an average of less than 54 minutes per day on leisure activities. Boys in elementary and junior high school often play video games, while high school boys enjoy listening to music, playing games, and karaoke. High school girls prioritize listening to music, followed by karaoke and video games. Junior high school students spend 51 minutes per week on sports, while high school students spend 34 minutes per week. Ten-year-olds enjoy sports like bowling, swimming, baseball, soccer, and basketball. Those over 20 prefer bowling, skiing, baseball, fishing, and swimming. People over 30 prefer golf, which is often used for entertaining business partners.

Studying abroad in Japan is currently an attractive opportunity for many young people. The number of Vietnamese students studying in Japan has increased significantly. In 2004, there were 1,570 Vietnamese students (ranked 6th), and by December 2007, this number had risen to 2,582, ranking 4th after China, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Employment

In Japan, adults often have to work to make a living. Compared to Vietnam, the number of civil servants in Japan (including both central and local government) is about 4.43 million, accounting for 7% of the total workforce. The remaining 93% work in private enterprises. By industry, 30% of the workforce is in manufacturing and construction; 18.8% in office work; 14.8% in retail; and 12% in research and development (R&D). Agriculture and fisheries account for only 5.9% of the labor force. Over the past 35 years, engineers and construction workers have always made up the highest proportion (over 30%), while the number of people working in agriculture and fisheries has sharply decreased from 25% to 5.9% (mostly elderly people).

Japanese people spend a lot of time and effort commuting from work to home, often using public transportation with precise schedules. On average, it takes about 50 minutes to commute to work, and this time can be 2-3 times longer in major cities like Tokyo. This situation leaves workers with less time for family and leisure activities.

Fifteen years ago, Japan had passed the period of austerity and achieved its goal of becoming an economic power. However, as the focus shifted to prioritizing spiritual life and comfort, Japan fell into economic stagnation. Companies faced restructuring or bankruptcy, and the seniority-based system and lifetime employment were threatened. Many workers have or will face unemployment, while the number of elderly people is increasing. This situation has led to many warnings that Japan needs to consider a "Big Bang" reform of its education, labor, financial, administrative, and political systems.