University of Tokyo
Institute of Social Science
Panel Survey
Japanese Life Course
Panel Survey
２００８
satisfaction
100
80
60
40
20

year

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10

20

30

40

50

University of Tokyo – Institute of Social Science – Panel Survey 2008
Japanese Life Course Panel Survey
Instructions:-Please use a blue or black ballpoint pen.
-Please answer the questions in order. Please note that not all questions apply to all respondents; if aquestion does not apply to you, please follow the arrow sign ( → ) and read the given instructions.
-In answering, please circle the appropriate number, or enter the number in the response column. In
places where the response is “something other,” please give a specific response in the parentheses.
-When the question asks “Circle one,” please do not circle more than one number; when it asks “circle allthat apply,” please circle all the numbers that match with your responses.
-Our survey maintains complete confidentiality of all participants of the questionnaire. All responses will
be handled through statistical analysis, and thus individual names are omitted and no response will beconnected with any individual participant.
-Once you have completed the survey, please look your responses over once again to make certain thatyou have not missed any questions.
-Our survey staff will visit you later to collect the completed questionnaire.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.
January to March 2008
(Survey Operation) Central Research Services, Inc.
(Survey Planning) The Information Center for Social Science Research on Japan,
Institute of Social Science, the University of TokyoJapanese Life Course Panel Survey
Survey planning committee
Hiroshi Ishida

Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Hiroki Sato

Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Kaoru Sato

Associate Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Yuki Honda

Associate Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Yuji Genda

Associate Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Akiko Nagai

Associate Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Satoshi Miwa

Associate Professor, Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo

Takehiko Kariya

Professor, Graduate School of Education, University of Tokyo

Sawako Shirahase

Associate Professor, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, University of Tokyo

Yukio Maeda

Associate Professor, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, Universityof Tokyo

Questions about personal information
Question 1. Please specify your gender and date of birth.
(1) Gender
1.

Male

2.

Female(2) Date of birth
YEAR

MONTH
____________________________________“Job” refers to any
job that generates
income, including ahelp for familybusinesses (farming
and shop work, etc.)
and part-timeQuestion 2. Do you usually have a job that generates income(including student part-time jobs)? (Please circle one.)
1. Yes, I have a job
2. No, I don't have a job<Follow-up question 1> What do you usually do? (Circle one)
1. Attend school
2. Domestic work
3. Other<Follow-up question 2> Would you like to workto earn a living? (Circle one)
1. Yes, I am actually searching for a job or preparing to starta business.
2. Yes, I am considering it, but I am NOT searching for a job
or preparing to start a business.

Proceed to Question 5(Page 4)

3. No, I don't wish to work at the present time.

Question 3. The following questions will ask about your current or most recent job.
(1) TYPE OF WORK Please select the closest one. (Circle one)
1. Business manager, or executive
2. Full-time employee
3. Part-time (including a student having apart-time job)

(1)-2

4. Temporary staff (“haken shain”)
5. Contract worker (“ukeoi shain”)
6. Self-employed, entrepreneur
7. Family worker

8. Side work (piecework)
9. Other(specify:)

Is this the same type of job that you had a year ago (February, 2007)? (Circle one)

1. Same type of work

2. Different type of work

3. No job at that time(2) SUBSTANCE OF WORK

Please select the closest description. (Circle one)

1. Professional /technical…….

(Requiring specialized knowledge or skill, such as: doctor, nurse, lawyer, teacher,engineer, designer, etc.)(Division head or higher position in business or government office, assemblyman,business manager, etc.)

2. Administrative/managerial…….

3. Office/clerical…….

(Office worker in business or government, accountant, office clerk, etc.)

4. Sales …….

(Retail or wholesale store manager, store clerk, inside sales, insurance sales, outside
sales, etc.)(Beautician, chef, waitress, home helper, etc.)

5. Service…….
6. Manufacturing/skilled labor…….
7. Transportation/security…….

(Production and assembly of manufactured goods, bicycle maintenance, building
construction, carpentry, electricians, agricultural manufacture, etc.)(Truck and taxi drivers, dock workers, mail delivery, telecommunications worker,
police, fire department, self-defense force, security guard, etc.)

8. Other1(2)-2 Please specify the substance of your work. Please describe your position (capacity) andworkplace as described in sample responses:(Sample responses)
Rice farmer
Primary school teacher
Supermarket cashier Telephone solicitor for food supply company
Outside salesperson for cosmetics company
Interior electrical wiring at construction sites Care worker at welfare
facility (nurse/social worker) Factory labor for plastic toys production Bank receptionist
System engineer at a software development company (software development technician)(2)-3 Is this the same job you had a year ago (February, 2007)? Even if you have switched toanother office or company, if the substance of the work is the same as before, please choose “samejob.” (Circle one)
1. Same job(3) JOB TITLE

2. Different job

3. Had no job at that time

Please select the closest description. (Circle one)

1. No managerial title
2. Supervisor, foreman, team leader
3. Assistant section chief or equivalent(kakarichō)

4. Section chief or equivalent
5.Devision chief or equivalent
6. Company president,
executive, director

7. Other – please specify:(3)-2 Is this the same job title that you had a year ago (February, 2007)? Even if you have switchedto another office or company, if the substance of the work is the same as before, please choose“same job.” (Circle one)
1. Same job title

2. Different job title

3. Had no job at that time(4) How many hours and days do you generally spend at work?
A. Average hours worked per day (including overtime)
B. Average days worked per month

Average day:Average month:

hours
days

(5) What kind of salary system applies for your current job and how much are you paid for eachpaycheck? Please circle the salary system, and give the rough amount of each paycheck (grossamount, before taxes, company insurance, etc. are deducted). (Circle one)
<Payment type><Amount>
1. Hourlypay
2. Daily pay

,

Yen

,

Yen

3. Weeklypay
4. Monthlypay
5. Annualpay
6. Other

,

Yen

,

Yen

,

Yen

(Specific type and amount:)(6) Description of workplace Please give specific description.
Sample responses:
Auto parts manufacturing
Vegetable sales Hotel
Branch office of bank
Department store
Design officeMutual aid association Temporary staff agency
Prefectural high school
Municipal officeEnvironmental nonprofit organization(7) Total number of employees (including family and part-time employees) in the entire company(including branch offices) (Circle one)
1. One employee

3. 5-9 employees

5. 30-99 employees

7. 300-999 employees

2. 2-4 employees

4. 10-29 employees

6. 100-299 employees

8. 1,000 or more employees

9. Government
Office10. Don’t know(8) About how long is your commute (one-way, the time it takes from your home to yourworkplace)? (Circle one)
1. I live and work at the same place
2. 15 minutes or so

2

3. 30 minutes or so
4. 45 minutes or so

5. One hour or so
6. An hour and a half or so

7. 2 hours or more(9) Approximately how many hours per week are you supposed to work, excluding overtime? (Circle
one)
1. 20 hours or less
2. More than 20 hours and less than 30 hours
3. More than 30 hours and less than 35 hours

4. More than 35 hours and less than 40
hours
5. 40 hours
6. More than 40 hours

7. No set schedule(Varies by season, etc.)
8. Don’t know(10) What is the name of your job and title at your workplace? Please specify as detail as possible.
(Sample responses) Section chief
Head
Chief clerk
LeaderMember of personnel
Company worker
Staff
Teacher
Lecturer Sales driver
Paato (part-time job worker) Contract employee
Shokutaku(limited-term office worker ) Arubaito (part-time job)(11) (This question only applies for those who are employed with a corporation and alike)
What is the length of tenure stipulated in your employment contract? (Circle one)
1. Tenured (including employment until established retirement
age [lifetime employment])
2. Contract-base (one half year contract, one-year contract, etc.)

3. Don’t know

<Follow-up question> (For those who responded with [2. contract-base]) Will your employment
contract be renewed? (Circle one)
1. It will be renewed
2. It may be renewed

3. It will not be renewed
4. Don’t know

Question 4. The following questions will ask you about your work place.
(1) Does any of the following apply to your current work environment? (Circle all that apply)
1. I work overtime almost everyday
2. The office is always understaffed
3. I am always pressured by deadlines
4. There is an atmosphere of mutual support
5. Many tasks are independently done by individual
employees
6. Many tasks are done cooperatively

7. There is an atmosphere in which older workers guideyounger colleagues
8. You can transfer offices based on your request
9. There is a mentor for young employees to talk to about thejob and life in general
10. There are opportunities to talk about future employment
11. None of the above(2) To what extent do statements A through G apply to your current job? Please choose one thatbest fits your answer. (Circle one for each)
Strongly
appliesA. I can decide and alter the pace of my work
B. I can decide and alter how I work
C. I decide how my subordinates work
D. There are opportunities to obtain educational
training
E. There are opportunities to improve my job skills
through work
F. My workplace is flexible about reducing work
hours and taking leaves based on one’s needs
relating to childrearing, household work, or study
G. It is possible that I will lose my job in a year(including bankruptcy)

Somewhatapplies

Doesn’tapply
So muchDoesn’t
apply at
all

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

Don't
have
subordinate (s)53Question 5. During the past year (from March 2007 till now), how many companies did you work for,including the company that you are currently working for? If you are temporary staff (haken shain)or contract staff (ukeoi shain), please answer regarding the temp/contract staffing companies rather
than the companies for which you served as a temp/contract staff member. (Please circle one)
1. I didn't work at all for the entire past year
2. I worked for the same company for the entire past year
3. I worked for multiple companies during the last year
4. Other (please specify:

As for Company, please count abusiness for which you worked as ashort-time part-time employee, aself-employed, or an entrepreneur
who started the firm.

)

Proceed to Question 6<Follow-up question 1> During the past year, for how many companies did you work?
How many months did you work in total?
I worked for () companies in the past year, for total of () months.

<Follow-up question 2> At the beginning of March, last year (2007), which of the following
applied to you? (Circle one)
1. I was not working
2. I was working at that time but left the job afterward<Follow-up question 2-1> What was your main reason why you left the job that you were
working at that time (March, 2007)? (Circle one)
1. Retirement, contract
expiration, etc.
2. Bankruptcy, businessclosure, lay-off, etc.
3. Found a better job

4. Family matters

7. Other – please
specify:

5. To take over a familybusiness
6. Dissatisfaction with the job<Follow-up question 2-2> When did you leave the job that you were working at that time
(March 2007)? (Circle one)
1. _______ (month) of last year (2007)

2. _______ (month) of this year (2008)<Follow-up question 3> When did you begin your current job? (Circle one)
1. I am not currently working

Proceed to Question 6

2. _______ (month) of last year (2007)
3. _______ (month) of this year (2008)<Follow-up question 3-1> How did you find the job? (Circle all that apply)
1. Through family/relatives
2. Through friends/acquaintances
3. Through alumni/upperclassmen from your school
4. Through teachers from your school (including school
recommendation)
5. Unemployment office
6. Private employment agency

7. Job advertisement on newspaper or magazine
8. Requested application materials from the company orsent in CV (“entry sheet”)
9. Succeeded family business (joined family business)
10. I started the job myself.
11. I was approached by the company.
12. I was recommended by my previous workplace.
13. Other (Specify:)

Questions about your everyday life and family
Question 6. How do you evaluate your household’s current standard of living? (Circle one)
1
Wealthy42Somewhat wealthy

3
Average4
Somewhat poor5
Poor

Question 7. How often do you usually do the following activities during the past one year? (Circle
one for each)
A. Go to a classical music concert
B. Go to a rock/pop concert
C. Go to an art or natural history museum
D. Sing karaoke
E. Play pachinko
F. Play sports (including walking, hiking, etc.)
G. Go to a library
H. Read a novel, history book, etc.
I. Read a tabloid such as a sports newspaper ora women’s weekly magazine
J. Travel abroad
K. Engage in volunteer activities

One or moretimes per week
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

About once a
month
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Once a year or
so
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Never

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

Question 8. Are you an only child? (Circle one)
1. Yes2. No<Follow-up question> Please indicate the educational background of your siblings. What is thehighest level of school that s/he attended (or is currently attending)? Please exclude in-laws.
The last school that s/he attended (or currently attending)
ExampleOlder brother Younger brother
Older sister

Younger sister

Older brother Younger brother1
Older sister

Younger sister

Older brother Younger brother2
Older sister

Younger sister

Older brother Younger brother3
Older sister

Younger sister

Older brother Younger brother4
Older sister

Younger sister

Older brother Younger brother5
Older sister

Younger sister

1.
Elementaryor lower2.
Middleschool3.
High school

4.
Vocational
college1.
Elementaryor lower2.
Middleschool3.
High school

4.
Vocational
college1.
Elementaryor lower2.
Middleschool3.
High school

4.
Vocational
college1.
Elementaryor lower2.
Middleschool3.
High school

4.
Vocational
college1.
Elementaryor lower2.
Middleschool3.
High school

4.
Vocational
college1.
Elementaryor lower2.
Middleschool3.
High school

4.
Vocational
college5.
2-year college/
College oftechnology
5.
2-year college/
College oftechnology
5.
2-year college/
College oftechnology
5.
2-year college/
College oftechnology
5.
2-year college/
College oftechnology
5.
2-year college/
College oftechnology

6.
University

7.
Graduateschool6.
University

7.
Graduateschool6.
University

7.
Graduateschool6.
University

7.
Graduateschool6.
University

7.
Graduateschool6.
University

7.
GraduateschoolQuestion 9. How many siblings does each of your parents have? Please include your father/motherand the deceased in the figure.
Father’s siblings
Mother’s siblings

1. _______ siblings, including father
1. _______ siblings, including mother

2. Don’t know
2. Don’t know

Question 10. The following statements A through C indicate opinions on children. How much do you
agree/disagree with each of these opinions? (Circle one for each)1

Somewhat
Agree
2

Somewhatdisagree
4

1

2

1

2

Agree
A. I wish to have my children receive the highest
level of education possible
B. I wish to give my children tutoring outside ofschool and have them attend juku
C. I wish to leave my children with as muchproperty as possible.

DisagreeDon’t know

5

6

4

5

6

4

5

6

5

Question 11. We would like to know about those who share your residence (live with you atpresent).
(1) How many people share your residence (live together at the moment), including yourself?
________ people(2) Please indicate the following entries for each of the persons with whom you share your residence
Currently inschool?

Relationship to you

GenderAge

ExampleYour wife’s motherM ○F

68 years old

Yes

No
○

Yes

No
○

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Your ____________Your ____________Your ____________Your ____________Your ____________Your ____________Your ____________Your ____________

M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M

_____ years old_____ years old_____ years old_____ years old_____ years old_____ years old_____ years old_____ years old

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No

F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F

Currently employed?

If there are nine or more people, please respond in the margin.

(3) Among those who share your residence, are there anyone who newly have come to live with you
during the past year? (Circle one)
1. Yes

2. No

Proceed to (4)<Follow-up question> Who are they? Please tell us the reason they came to live with you.
Who has come to live with you
Example12
3
4

6Your second sonYour wife’s motherYour _______________________Your _______________________Your _______________________Your _______________________

ReasonHe was born in August 2007
She moved in with me for the need for care in October 2007

(4) During this past year, was there anyone who ceased to live with you? (Circle one)
1. Yes

2. No

Proceed to (5)<Follow-up question> Who are they? Please tell us the reason they ceased to live with you.
Who has ceased to live with you
Your grandfather
Example Your oldest daughter
1
2
3
4

ReasonHe deceased away in October 2007
She got married and started living with her husband inFukuoka, in June 2007

Your _______________________Your _______________________Your _______________________Your _______________________(5) Aside from those in (4) above, are there any other family members who are not living with you?
(Circle one)
1. Yes2. No<Follow-up question> Who are they? Please also tell us why they are not living with you.
Family member(s) not living with you
Your wife and oldest daughter
ExampleYour oldest son
12
3
4

ReasonMy wife and oldest daughter remained in Sapporo while I
was transferred to an office outside Sapporo for a new postin July 2004
He entered a university in Tokyo and started living byhimself there in April 2005

Your _______________________Your _______________________Your _______________________Your _______________________

Questions about schools that you have attended
Question 12. Have you attended juku (cram school) or yobikō (exam preparation school), or
received tutoring? For each level of schooling, please circle all you experienced for six months or
more.
Attended juku
or yobikō
A. Elementary school
B. Middle school
C. High school111Receivedprivatetutoring2
2
2

Used correspondence
tutoring Tsūshin tensaku
3
3
3

Experienced
none of these

Did not attend
high school

4
4
4

5

Question 13. In your third year of middle school, what level of education did you think you wanted
to reach in the future? (Circle one)
1. Middle school

3. Technical school/vocational college

5. University

7. Other – please specify:

2. High school

4. 2-year junior college or college oftechnology

6. Graduate school

8. Didn’t really think about it7

Question 14. Did you experience any of the followings during your middle school years? (Circle allthat apply)
1. Skipped class
2. Smoked at school

3. Acted violently against a teacher
4. None of these

Question 15. Are any of the following true of the middle school you attended? (Circle all that apply)
1. The school was rowdy
2. Many students were late

3. School rules were strict
4. None really applies

Question 16. In April of the year you graduated middle school, to which path did you proceed?
(Circle one)
1. High school
2. Technical school/vocational school

3. College of technology(5-year system)
4. Began working

5. Other – please specify:

Question 17. The following questions will ask you about your high school.
(1) Which among the followings was your high school? (Circle one)
1. Day school
2. Evening school(teijisei)

3. Correspondence (including support schools)
4. College of technology (5-year system)

If you attended multiple highschools, please respondregarding the last school you
attended

5. Did not attend high school

Proceed to Question 18(2) Was the high school public, private, or national? (Circle one)
1. Public (prefectural; city; union-managed[kumiairitsu])

2. Private

3. National

4. Don’t know

(3) For which course were you registered at the high school? (Circle one)
1. General curriculum/science and mathematics/English andmathematics/ English/International studies
2. Industry-related studies
3. Commerce-related studies
4. Agriculture- and fisheries-related studies
5. Home economics- and hygiene-related studies

6. Healthcare-, nursing-, welfare-, and childcare-related
studies
7. Art- and physical education-related studies
8. Integrated studies
9. Don’t know(4) In what way did you enter the high school? (Circle one)
1. General entrance examination
2. Nomination/recommendation

3. Transferred from another highschool
4. Quit school and re-entered school

5. Internal progression (to upper schoolfrom an affiliated middle school)
6. Other – please specify:(5) Did you graduate from the high school? (Circle one)
1. Graduated
2. Dropped out
3. Currently enrolled(6) In your third year of high school, approximately where in your class did you fall in terms ofmarks? (Circle one)
1
Towards the top

82
Somewhat above
average

3
Average4
Somewhat below
average

5
Towards thebottom6
Don’t know

(7) Among your classmates at the high school, how many went on to university or two-year college?
1
About all2
70-80%

3
About half

420-30%

5
Almost none

6
Don’t know(8) Once you graduated (or dropped out), to what path did you proceed? (Circle one)
1. Technical school/vocational
2. Two-year college
3. University 4. Began full-timetraining college
employment
6. Was ronin – took a year off to focus on college
7. Other (please specify:
admission

5. Worked part-time)Question 18. Did you take the University Entrance Qualification Exam (UEQE, or the standardized
examination for admission to university)? (Circle one)The UEQE includes the Certificate for Students Achieving
the Proficiency Level of Upper Secondary School
Graduates, which was implemented as a replacement of
UEQE in 2005

1. No
2. Took it and passed
3. Took it but did not pass

Question 19. Have you attended a vocational training college, two-year college, university,
graduate school, or professional training school? (Choose 1)
1. Attended

2. Have not attended<Follow-up question> Please indicate the following matters about all the schools you have attended.
Type ofestablishment
1. National
1

2

3

4

School name

Department,
program, etc.

Course1. Daytime

2. Public

2. Evening

3. Private

3.Correspondence

1. National

1. Daytime

2. Public

2. Evening

3. Private

3.Correspondence

1. National

1. Daytime

2. Public

2. Evening

3. Private

3.Correspondence

1. National

1. Daytime

2. Public

2. Evening

3. Private

3.Correspondence

Matriculation
dateYear (A.D.):

Graduation date
In Year(A.D.):

Year (A.D.):

In Year(A.D.):

Year (A.D.):

In Year(A.D.):

Year (A.D.):

In Year(A.D.):

1.Willgraduate
2.Graduated3.Dropped
out
1.Willgraduate
2.Graduated3.Dropped
out
1.Willgraduate
2.Graduated3.Dropped
out
1.Willgraduate
2.Graduated3.Dropped
out

Those who attended 5 or more schools, please respond in the margin.
Question 20. While attending schools below, did you receive a scholarship or tuition remission? Foreach school, please circle all that apply.

A. High school
B. Two-year college/
Upper vocational school
C. Specialty/vocational
training college
D. University
E. Graduate school

Received ascholarship
loan

Received afullscholarship

Received a tuition
remission

Received neither
scholarship nor
tuition remission

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

Did not
attend thistype ofschooling
5
5

1

2

3

4

5

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

9

”The last school that you attended” includes the school that you
dropped out of. For example, for those who graduated or dropped
out of a high school, “the last school attended” is high school; forthose who graduated or dropped out of a university, it is university

Question 21. The following questions will ask about your school life during “the last school that you
attended” (or are currently attending).
(1) In “the last school that you attended,” how enthusiastic were you about the following subjects?
(Circle one for each subject)
A. Study and attend classes
B. Club/group activities
C. Hanging out with friends
D. Part-time job
E. Travel and leisure
F. Dating
G. taking lessons/acquiring qualifications
H. Hobbies
I. Job-seeking activities

Very enthusiastic

Fairly enthusiastic
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

Not veryenthusiastic
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

Was not enthusiastic/
did not do
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

(2) In “the last school that you attended,” about how frequently did you attend classes and lectures?
(Circle one)
1
Less than 20%

2
20-40%

340-60%

460-80%

5
80% or more

(3) This question asks you about the grades in ”the last school that you attended.” Of all the subjects
you took, in what percentage of classes did you earn a mark of 80 points or above (excellent, A, 5thlevel, or other highest evaluation)? (Circle one)
1
Less than 20%

2
20-40%

340-60%

460-80%

5
80% or more

(4) This question asks you about job-search activities in “the last school that you attended.” Which of
the following methods did you employ for searching a job and how often? (Circle one for each)
A. Job search support websites (rikunabi,etc.)
B. Job search informational magazines(Shūshoku Journal, etc.)
C. Information or introduction from school
teachers (professors, instructors, etc.)
D. Read job announcements that wereavailable at the school
E. Read the data profiles on companies
available at the in-school job counselingcenterF. Companies’ briefing sessions orseminars, etc.
G. Personal interview at in-school job
counseling center (career consultation)
H. Practice interviews at school
I. Information or introduction from afriendJ. Information or introduction fromparents, family, relatives

Often
1

Sometimes
2

Rarely
3

Never
4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

1

2

3

4

Question 22. The following questions will ask you about the job you first got (“first job”) after you
left “the last school that you attended.”(1) Did you begin working at your first job from April of the year you graduated (or within one month,
for those who dropped out)? (Circle one)
1. Yes

2. No

3. Still in school

4. Have not gotten a job since graduation or leaving school
Proceed to Question 23

10

(2) How did you come to know of and apply for your first job? (Circle all that apply)
1. Internet and data request postcard
2. School seniors/recruiter
3. In-school job counseling center

4. School teachers
5. Family/relatives
6. Job offer advertisement or
magazine

7. Friend/acquaintance
8. Other – please specify:(3) Was your fist job the kind of job that you were hoping to get when you began your job-search?
(Circle one)
1
Yes

2
Somewhat yes

3
Not particularly or no(4) Were you satisfied with your first job when you actually started working? (Circle one)
1
Satisfied2
Somewhat satisfied

3
Neither satisfied nor
unsatisfied4
Not very satisfied

5
Unsatisfied

Questions about your general state of health
Question 23. How do you generally feel about your health condition? (Circle one)
1
Excellent

2
Good

3
Average

4
Not very good5
Poor

Question 24. Comparing to the condition one year ago, how is your current state of health? (Circle
one)
1
Improved

2
Somewhat Improved3
No change

4
Somewhat worsened

5
Declined

Question 25. How frequently have you had the following feelings in the past month? Please circle
the choice that is the closest match. (Circle one for each)
A. Feeling quite nervous
B. Feeling so down in the dumps that
nothing could cheer you up
C. Feeling calm and peaceful
D. Feeling downhearted and blue
E. Feeling happy
F. Activities like housekeeping and work arelimited because of your health condition

Constantly
1
1

Nearly constantly22

Occasionally33

Rarely4
4

Not at all
5
5

1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5

Question 26. In the past three years, have you had a health checkup (regular or residential checkup)
or a comprehensive medical examination (ningen dokku)? (Circle one)
1. Yes2. No________ times

11Question 27. Do you have any chronic illness diagnosed by a doctor? (Circle one)
1. Yes2. No

What is the name of the illness? ____________________________________________<Follow-up question> (For those who responded [1. Yes]): Do you have limitations or restrictions toyour everyday life as a result of this illness? (Circle one)
1
Often

2
Sometimes

3
Rarely4
Never

Question 28. Did you have any life-restricting illness or disorders before you were 18 years old?
1. Yes2. No

What is the name of the illness or ailment? ____________________________________________

Question 29. The question will ask you about your perspectives on life. For each statement below,
please choose the number that best describes your views in the scale of 1 to 7 (Circle one for each)Very accurate

A. I am able to find solutions for difficulties andproblems that come up in everyday life
B. I think some of the problems and difficulties in life areworth facing and trying to deal with
C. I am capable of understanding and anticipating
difficulties or problems that come up in everyday life

Not accurate at all

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Question 30. In the past year, approximately how many days were you absent from work or school
due to sickness or injury?
1. Approximately _______ days
2. Did not stay home any days

Question 31. In the past year, how many days in total did you spent on doctor’s appointments or ina hospital? Among the total days spent on doctor’s appointments, how many were dentist
appointments?
Doctors’ visits
Hospital stay____________days____________days

Of these, dentist visits accounted for _______ days
<If none, please respond with 0>

Questions about your perspectives
Question 32. Regarding the following subjects, how satisfied are you generally? (Circle one for
each)
SatisfiedSomewhatsatisfiedSomewhat
Unsatisfied

Unsatisfied

Not applicable

2

Neithersatisfied nor
dissatisfied
3

A. Work

1

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

C. Relationships with friends

1

2

3

4

5

6
Unemployed6
Not married
6
Don’t havefriends

B. Marriage life

D. Life in general

1

2

3

4

5

12

Question 33. To what extent do the following subjects apply to you? Please circle the mostappropriate numbers. (Circle one for each)Very applicable

Partly applicable

1

A. I have a clear idea of what kind ofwork I want
B. I want to improve my job skills
C. I want to enjoy my current life rather
than to worry about the future
D. I am worried about my ability tosurvive in society
E. My friends often confided theirproblems to me
F. I don’t want to take a job that I don’t
want to do

2

Not very
applicable3

Not applicableat all
4

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

Question 34. Do you have hopes for your future job and life? (Circle one)
1
Have great hope2
Have hope

3
Neither yes nor no4
Have little hope

5
Have no hope at all

Question 35. Do you generally think people can be trusted? (Circle one)
1
Yes

2
No

3
Depends on thecircumstances

Question 36. Would you agree or disagree with the following opinions about Japanese society?
Please choose the closest answer. (Circle one for each)

A. I have hope for Japanese society
B. It would be good to have more
foreigners coming to Japan to settle
down
C. Income disparity in Japan is too big
D. We must limit importing foreign
products in order to protect theJapanese economy
E. Income disparity is necessary for theprosperity of Japan
F. I feel proud of being a JapaneseStrongly
agree

Somewhatagree

SomewhatdisagreeStrongly
disagree

Don’t
know

2
2

Neither
agree nordisagree
3
3

1
1

4
4

5
5

6
6

1
1

2
2

3
3

4
4

5
5

6
6

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

Question 37. How do you feel about the area where you live (about the size of an elementary school
district, at the largest) and its residents? Please choose the closest answer. (Circle one for each)
Agree
A. The area where I live is very safe
B. The neighbors help each other in thearea where I live
C. The area has hospitals/clinics thatoffer the residents a reassurance for
medical emergencies

1
1

Somewhatagree
2
2

Can’t sayeither way
3
3

Somewhatdisagree44Strongly
disagree
5
5

Don’t
know
6
6

1

2

3

4

5

6

13

Question 38. Would you agree or disagree with the following opinions? Please circle the closest
answer. (Circle one for each)

A. Japan should build up more defense
power
B. The Japan-US Security Treaty should be
reinforced more than it is now
C. It is the government’s responsibility to
reduce income disparity
D. It is necessary to secure rural and regional
employment through public works
E. Improvement of social welfare likepension and elderly medical care should be
supported even under difficult financial
situations
F. Aside from elderly and physically- or
mental-challenged persons, people must live
without relying on social welfare

Agree

Somewhatagree

SomewhatdisagreeDisagree

Don’t
know

2

Can’t sayeither
way
3

1

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

1

2

3

4

5

6

Question 39. In the last House of Councilors election in July 2007, for which party did you vote? If
you voted by candidate’s name, please reply with that candidate’s party. (Circle one)
1. Liberal Democratic Party
2. Democratic Party
3. New Komeito

4. Communist Party
5. Social Democratic Party
6. People's New Party

7. New Party Japan
10. I forget
8. Other Party (Specify:
9. Did not vote (including those who returned a blankballot))

Question 40. Do you have favorable or unfavorable feelings toward the following political parties
and countries? If you have neither favorable nor unfavorable feelings, please circle 50 degree; iffavorable, choose a degree between 60 and 100; if unfavorable, a degree between 0 and 40.
Unfavorable

Emotional
thermomet
erFavorable(sample response)
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

A. Liberal
Democratic Party
(LDP)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

B. Democratic Party
(DPJ)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

D. Communist
Party

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

E. Social
Democratic Party

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

G. United States ofAmerica

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

H. China (People’s
Republic of China)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

C. New Komeito

F. Japan14

Question 41. Which political party do you generally support? (Circle one)
1. Liberal Democratic Party
2. Democratic Party
3. New Komeito

4. Communist Party
5. Social Democratic Party
6. People’s New Party

7. New Party Japan
8. Other Party (Specify:
9. No party in particular)
10. Don’t know

Question 42. With or without elections, some are always interested in politics, while others are not.
How much attention do you usually pay to political events? (Circle one)
1
Always2
Sometimes

3
Occasionally4
Almost never

Question 43. Hypothetically, if society were divided and ranked in strata from 1 to 10, highest to
lowest, to which rank do you think you would belong? (Circle one)
1
Highest

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10
Lowest

Question 44. Which of the following clubs and organizations are you a member of? (Circle all that
apply)
1. Political group or club

5. Civil movement/consumer
movement group
6. Sports groups and clubs

2. Occupational association/businessman’s association
3. Volunteer group
4. Religious groups and clubs

9. Hobby club
10. Private learning group

7. Self-government
group/neighborhood association
8. Labor union

11. Neither of the listed

Question about your residence and wealth
Question 45. Do you pay monthly housing expenses and mortgage? How much do you pay monthly(on average without counting bonuses)?
1. No

2. YesApproximately ____________ per month.

Question 46. Which of the following items do you have in your household? Please select all that you
have in your house and circle the number. Those who don't have any of them, choose “20. None of
the listed.”
1. Ofuro (Japanese bath)
2. Child(ren)’s own room(s)3. Piano
4. Refrigerator
5. Dishwasher

8. Telephone (including cell phone, PHS)
9. Satellite broadcast/cable television
10. DVD recorder
11. Personal computer/word processor
12. High-speed internet connection

6. Warm water bidet toilet, or
so-called “washlet”
7. Cooler/air conditioner

13. Sports club membership (golf, tennis, etc.)

15. Works of art/antiques
16. Stock or bond certificates
17. Car
18. Second home (vacation house)
19. Farmland (excluding homegardens)
20. None of the listed

14. Literary collection/illustrated books

15

Question 47. Which of the following is your current residence? (Circle one)
1. Owned house (single-family
house)
2. Owned house (condominium)
3. Rental house or apartment

4. Rental house or apartment
provided by public housing
corporation
5. Rental public housing house orapartment
6. Company housing, dormitory,
government housing, official
housing

7. Boarding house, rental room

8. Other - Please specify:<Follow-up question> For those who responded [1. Own home (single-family house)] or [2. Own
home (condominium)]: Who is the home owner? Please circle all that apply.
1. Yourself
2. Spouse (husband or wife)

3. Your father or mother
4. Spouse’s father or mother

5. Sibling(s)6. Other (please specify:)

Question 48. This question asks about your income of the past year. Approximately what is yourindividual, your spouse’s, and your total household income? Please include secondary andprovisional (temporary/special) income. (Circle one for each)

1. None2. Less than 250,000 yen
3. About 500,000 yen (250,000 to not more than 750,000 yen)
4. About 1,000,000 yen (750,000 to not more than 1,500,000 yen)
5. About 2,000,000 yen (1,500,000 to not more than 2,500,000 yen)
6. About 3,000,000 yen (2,500,000 to not more than 3,500,000 yen)
7. About 4,000,000 yen (3,500,000 to not more than 4,500,000 yen)
8. About 5,000,000 yen (4,500,000 to not more than 6,000,000 yen)
9. About 7,000,000 yen (6,000,000 to not more than 8,500,000 yen)
10. About 10,000,000 yen (8,500,000 to not more than 12,500,000 yen)
11. About 15,000,000 yen (12, 500,000 to not more than 17,500,000 yen)
12. About 20,000,000 yen (17, 500,000 to not more than 22,500,000 yen)
13. 22,500,000 yen or more
14.Don’t know
15. Don't have a spouse

You

Your
spouse

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Total
householdIncome
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Question 49. Where does your household income come from? Please circle all that apply.
1. Wages/salary
2. Farming or fishing business
3. Business other than farming or
fishing
4. Side work
5. Renting house or land

6. Interest/dividends
7. Remittances (from family)
8. Pension (excluding disability
pension)
9. Disability pension
10. Employment insurance (withunemployment benefit)

11. Livelihood subsidies
12. Child-rearing allowance
13. Other – specify:

Question 50. Approximately how much is the total of all your household’s wealth worth (including
deposits and savings, shares of stock, real estate, etc.)? Please choose the answer that is closest to
the estimation. (Circle one)
1. None2.No more than 500,000 yen
3. 500,000 to not more than 1,000,000 yen
4. 1,000,000 to not more than 3,000,000
yen

16

5. 3,000,000 to not more than 5,000,000 yen
6. 5,000,000 to not more than 10,000,000 yen
7. 10,000,000 to not more than 30,000,000 yen
8. 30,000,000 to not more than 50,000,000 yen

9. 50,000,000 yen or more
10. Don’t know

Question 51. To date, have you or your spouse inherited or been gifted by your parents or spouse’s
parents, any property (including deposits and savings, shares of stock, real estate, etc.)? Those
without a spouse, please respond about yourself. (Circle one)
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know

<Follow-up question> (For those who responded [1. Yes]): What is the approximate total value ofall the property inherited or gifted? (Circle one)
1. Nothing
2. No more than 500,000 yen
3. 500,000 to not more than 1,000,000 yen
4. 1,000,000 to not more than 3,000,000
yen

5. 3,000,000 to not more than 5,000,000 yen
6. 5,000,000 to not more than 10,000,000 yen
7. 10,000,000 to not more than 30,000,000 yen
8. 30,000,000 to not more than 50,000,000 yen

9. 50,000,000 yen or more
10. Don’t know

Questions about marriage
Question 52. Are you currently married? (Circle one)
1. Married (including de-facto/common law)
2. Never married
3. Widowed
4. Divorced

Proceed to Question 57(Page19)

Question 53. Is your marriage officially registered? (Circle one)
1. Registered
2. Plan to register
3. Don't plan to register

Question 54. The following questions will ask you about the period between the time that you startdating your current spouse and the time that you got married to him/her.
(1) When did you start dating with and get married to him/her?
The time when you started dating with your current spouse
The time when you got married to him/her

You were ____________ years old
You were ____________ years old(2) Have you lived with your current spouse before you married to her/him? (Circle one)
1. Yes
2. No

Period of living together was in total for_______ years, ________ months

Question 55. The following questions will ask you about your spouse’s current employment.
(1) TYPE OF WORK Please select the closest one. (Circle one)
1. Business manager or executive
2. Full-time employee
3. Part-time worker (including contract,
temporary /seasonal, or commission)
4. Self-employed, entrepreneur
5. Family worker

6. Side work (piecework)
7. Unemployed (including full-timehousewife/husband)
8. Student
10. Other – please specify:

Those who
answered 7 or
8 proceed to
Question 56(Page18)

17

(2) SUBSTANCE OF WORK

Please select the closest one. (Circle one)

1. Professional/technical…….

(Requiring special knowledge or skill, such as: doctor, nurse, lawyer, teacher,technician, designer, etc.)(Division head or higher in business or government, assemblyman, business
manager, etc.)(Office worker in business or government, accountant, office worker, etc.)

2. Administrative/managerial…….
3. Office/clerical…….
4. Sales…….

(Retail or wholesale store help, store clerk, inside sales, insurance sales, outside sales, etc.)

5. Service…….

(Beautician, chef, waitress, home helper, etc.)

6. Manufacturing/skilled labor……. (Production and assembly of manufactured goods, bicycle maintenance, building
construction, carpentry, electricians, agricultural manufacture, etc.)
7. Transportation/security……. (Truck and taxi drivers, dock workers, mail delivery, telecommunications worker, police,
fire department, self-defense force, security guard, etc.)
8. Other(2)-2 Please specify the substance of their work. (Please respond with [___ position (capacity)with a ___ workplace] as described in sample responses)(Sample responses)
Rice farmer
Primary school teacher
Supermarket cashier Telephone salesperson for food supply company
Travelling salesperson for cosmetics company Factory labor for plastic toys production Interior electrical wiring atconstruction sites Care worker at welfare facility (qualified nurse/social worker)
Bank receptionist Systemengineer at a software development company (software development technician)(3) JOB TITLE

Please choose the closest description. (Circle one)

1. No managerial title
2. Supervisor, foreman, team leader
3. Assistant section chief or equivalent

4. Section chief or equivalent
5. Division chief or equivalent
6. Company president, executive,
director

7. Other – please specify:(4) COMPANY’S TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES Include family business employees and part-timeworkers. (Circle one)
1. 1 employee
2. 2-4 employees
3. 5-29 employees

4. 30-299 employees
5. 300-999 employees
6. 1000 or more employees

7. Government
8. Don’t know

Question 56. Before you married, what have you tried in order to meet somebody of the opposite
sex for a future relationship? Please choose all that apply.
1. Asked your parents or siblings if they know somebody
they can introduce to you
2. Asked people other than your parents or siblings if theyknow somebody they can introduce to you
3. Asked your friends if they know somebody they can
introduce to you
4. Asked people at work if they know somebody they can
introduce to you
5. Joined school courses, clubs or activities
6. Joined hobby classes and groups
7. Joined a gōkon (group dating party)
8. Joined a miai (arranged meeting for potential partners)

9. Joined in a miai party (party that is arranged for meeting
potential partners)
10. Searched via the Internet or cellular phone
11. Asked out somebody met on a street in town or during atrip
12. Registered for a marriage consultation service ormarriage agency
13. Other – please specify:

14. Nothing in particularThose who are currently married,
please proceed to Question 62 (Page 20)
18

The following questions are addressed tothose who are currently single, divorced, or widowed
Question 57.

What are your thoughts regarding marriage? (Circle one)

1. Definitely want to get married
2. Want to get married if I have a chance
3. It does not matter whether I get married or not

4. Don't want to get married
5. Don't think about getting married

Question 58. In the past year, what have you tried in order to meet people of the opposite sex
whom you would pursue a future relationship? Please choose all that apply.
1. Asked your parents or siblings if they know somebody
they can introduce to you
2. Asked people other than your parents or siblings if theyknow somebody they can introduce to you
3. Asked your friends if they know somebody they can
introduce to you
4. Asked people at work if they know somebody they can
introduce to you
5. Joined school courses, clubs or activities
6. Joined hobby classes and groups
7. Joined a gōkon (group dating party)
8. Joined a miai (arranged meeting for potential partners)

9. Joined in a miai party (party that is arranged for meeting
potential partners)
10. Searched via the Internet or cellular phone
11. Asked out somebody met on a street in town or during atrip
12. Registered for a marriage consultation service ormarriage agency
13. Other – please specify:

14. Nothing in particular

Question 59. Are you dating anyone at present? (Circle one)
1. I have a fiancé(e)2. I have a romantic partner
3. Don't have anybody particular right now

Proceed to Question 61

Question 60. The following questions will ask you about your fiancé(e) or romantic partner.
(1) About how long have you been going out with this person?
Approximately ________ years and ______months(2) How did you meet the person whom you are currently dating? Please choose all that apply.
1. Introduced by parent/sibling
2. Introduced by relative other than parent/sibling

3. Introduced by friend/acquaintance/childhood friend
4. Introduced by colleague or boss at work
5. Met at work
6. Through school classes, groups, and activities
7. Through a part-time job
8. Through a hobby class

9. Through a group dating party (gōkon)10. Through a meeting arranged for finding potential
partners (miai, or an arranged marriage)
11. Through a party that is arranged to meet somebody forpotential partners (miai party)
12. Met via the Internet or cellular phone
13. Met on a street in town or during a trip
14. Through a marriage consultation service or marriage
agency15. Other: please specify below

Question 61. Have you ever lived with your romantic partner without officially married? If you have
cohabited multiple times, please answer regarding the most recent experience. (Circle one)
1. No
2. Have before but not currently
3. Am living with my romantic partner at present

Length of living together:____years and _______months

19

The following questions apply to everyone
Question 62. In ten years from now, what kind of job do you want to be doing? (Circle one)
1. I want to be working as a fulltime employee
2. I want to be starting my own business.
3. I want to be managing my parents’ business after
succeeding it
4. I want to be working independently on my own
5. I want to be working for a part-time job

6. I want to be working as a full-timehousewife/househusband.
7. I want to be not having to work.
8. Other – please specify:

9. Don’t know

Question 63. In ten years from now, do you think your life will be better or worse than it is now?
(Circle one)
1
Better2
Somewhat better3
No change

4
Somewhat worse

5
Worse

Question 64. Please use the free space below if you would like to write about your thoughts on yourcurrent or future work or/and marriage and family (childcare, nursing care, etc.).

The questionnaire ends here.
Thank you very much for your kind cooperation.
20