Japan's after-school pressures
Time to reflect, if you are lucky
The pressures and costs of after-school activities for children in Japan are causing concern, and are even suspected of contributing to the country's declining birth rate, as parents shun the idea of having more than one child.
Here, one Tokyo woman - journalist Kumiko Makihara - outlines the pressures on her young son, Yataro.
On Thursday I meet my son at the bus stop, and rush him home so that he can get ready for football practice.
We grab his sports bag, and I put a bit of chocolate in his mouth as we head off on the 15-minute bike ride. I have to tell him off for riding zigzag, as it takes more time.
Then he attends abacus class, for an hour of addition and subtraction drills, before his homework and piano practice.
On Fridays it is swimming and abacus; on Saturdays, English and judo.
I marvel at Yataro's energy level - but I also worry that I'm running him into the ground
These days I feel I'm back at my former job, running the mad schedule of the president of a large resort - only now, I'm keeping track of my son's after-school activities.
(click the headline for the rest of the article...)
