Kuraray Co., Ltd.
2024 edition New elementary school first graders’ “occupations they want to have in the future” and their parents’ “occupations they want them to have” – 1st place for both men and women is “cake
shop/bakery”, the top 3 remain unchanged
~For boys, “athlete” is the top choice for the first time in 4 years, and for girls, “idol” is gaining popularity again~
……
Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hitoshi Kawahara), a chemical manufacturer that manufactures and sells CLARINO(R), an artificial leather that is widely used in things such as school bag materials, has announced that it will help children entering elementary school this spring. We conducted a survey targeting children and their parents to find out what occupations they would like to have in the future and what occupations they would like their children to have in the future.
Regarding the occupations that both men and women would like to have in the future, 1st place was “cake shop/bakery,” 2nd place was “police officer,” and 3rd place was “athlete,” which have remained in the top three positions since last year. This year, “Researcher”, which gained points for both men and women, and “Nursery Teacher”, which gained popularity among girls, entered the top 10. On the other hand, “YouTuber”, which has been growing in popularity in recent years, dropped in the rankings this year to 14th place.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-ba8f3da900984294eff7-0.jpg&s3=30817-54-003c3902bc562528861e368567bb9e48-1291×725.jpg] Looking at the gender breakdown, “athlete” has returned to the top of the list of desired future occupations for boys, overtaking “police officer” for the first time in four years. “Researchers” had the second largest increase in points after athletes, moving up to fifth place, matching the highest ever. “Game Creator”, whose popularity is increasing year by year, entered the top 10 for the first time.
As for the occupation that girls want to have in the future, “cake shop/bakery” has been ranked number one for the 26th consecutive year since the survey began. 2nd place “Celebrities/Singers/Models” has increased its points significantly from last year (7.3% → 12.4%) and is approaching the same level as 10 years ago when there was an idol boom. “Nursery teacher” has significantly increased its ranking from 8th place last year to 3rd place.
[Survey overview]
Survey target: Children who will enter elementary school in April 2024 and their parents
Survey method: -Conducted a questionnaire to those who purchased school bags made by Clarino.
*Extract valid responses from internet responses from May 2023 to February 2024 Valid responses: 4,000 children (2,000 men and women each) and 4,000 of their parents
*The child survey is the 26th in total from 1999 to 2024, and the parent survey is the 33rd in total from 1992 to 2024.
Boy’s “occupation he wants to have in the future”
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-592aac74b9d70c2c3f49-1.jpg&s3=30817-54-ee45b5020e62a002e27ac86ab37260f2-1078×823.jpg] “Athlete” tops the list for the first time in 4 years, basketball is becoming more popular
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-c12ed0555c84c591bde7-2.jpg&s3=30817-54-92626a3a9507956820eed6ef4e92e3cd-447×326.jpg] “Athletes” has returned to the top, overtaking “police officers,” which had been in first place for the past three years. Now that the coronavirus pandemic is over, we can now enjoy sports to our heart’s content, and it seems that the number of boys dreaming of becoming J.League players or professional baseball players in the future is once again on the rise.
Looking at the breakdown of sports, the most popular is “soccer” and the second is “baseball”, same as last year. Additionally, the points for “Basketball” have doubled compared to the previous year (2.0% → 4.0%). Last year, the world championships held in Okinawa excited the whole of Japan, and it seems that children were also fascinated by basketball.
“Researchers” rank 5th, equal to record high, interested in dinosaurs, fossils, and insects
“Researchers” increased their points after athletes, and tied for fifth place, the highest ever. Looking at the answers, dinosaurs, fossils, and insects account for the majority of research subjects. Through illustrated books, museums, and TV programs about living things, children seem to be fostering a childlike curiosity to research things they like.
I want to be involved in games even when I grow up! “Game Creator” enters the top 10 for the first time
“Game Creator” reached a record high of 10th place. With the spread of programming education, the number of children who are interested in creating games is increasing year by year. 10 or 20 years ago, “toy stores” were more popular than “game creators,” but children in the Reiwa era seem to be dreaming of “creating.”
What girls want to do in the future
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-9ac49d85ae0a060dc201-3.jpg&s3=30817-54-94b78cabe79f54edf5e606a7b2283dfe-1083×760.jpg] “Cake shop/bakery” ranks first for 26 consecutive years
“Cake shop/bakery” took first place again this year. Over 80% of respondents answered that cake shops were overwhelmingly popular. There were also responses such as donut shops and crepe shops, indicating that they are obsessed with delicious and cute-looking sweets.
2nd place “Celebrity/Singer/Model”, momentum approaching 10 years before the idol boom
“Celebrity/Singer/Model” has increased its points significantly from last year. Compared to the 2010s, when idol groups created a whirlwind, the number has been sluggish in recent years, but this year it has exceeded 10% for the first time in a while. It is approaching its peak in 2014. Looking at the breakdown, over 80% aspire to be idols. It seems like idol fever is on the rise for the first time in 10 years.
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-a93af282b3b44d38e073-4.jpg&s3=30817-54-8b61e8ec9b234198d03bd3dd689a635f-1345×414.jpg] “Nursery teacher” ranked 3rd, equaling a record high for the first time in 10 years
“Nursery teacher” has risen significantly from 8th place last year to 3rd place for the first time in 10 years. One of the most familiar jobs for first grade girls. It has always gained a certain level of popularity and remains at the top.
“Ice cream shop” rises to 5th place and becomes established as a popular occupation
”Ice cream shop” rose in ranking for the second year in a row to 5th place. Compared to 20 years ago, the points have increased five times (0.9% → 5.0%). I feel that it has become one of the popular
professions. Similar to “cake shops/bakery” and “florist shops,” the image of staff working surrounded by things they love seems to capture the hearts of children.
The boy’s parents’ “occupation” they want him to have
[Image 6: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-1a06ec26a59327822a82-5.jpg&s3=30817-54-72d0b74dfd2205c762983d69a7d20ab2-1081×447.jpg] “Civil servant” remains the most popular, with “company employee” doubling from 20 years ago
The desire for children’s stability remains the same every year, with “civil servant” by far taking first place. “Office worker” has increased its points again this year, ranking second for the fourth consecutive year. The fact that this number has doubled compared to 20 years ago (5.0% → 11.1%) shows that it is becoming more popular with parents.
The girl’s parents’ “occupation” they want her to have
[Image 7: https://prtimes.jp/i/30817/54/resize/d30817-54-2abd8695ac4f2a51919f-6.jpg&s3=30817-54-99bc49316cda0169211da24d7b9f67bf-1080×424.jpg] “Nurse” maintains first place despite lowering points
“Nurses” has been at the top for 26 consecutive years. Although it remains extremely popular, its points have decreased for the second year in a row. On the other hand, “office workers,” who came in third place following last year, increased their points for the second year in a row, just like the boy’s parents.
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