The Effects of Co-residence with Parents on the Spatial Career Trajectories of Beauty School Students in Tokyo: A Case Study of Schools Operated by Educational Corporation A

Abstract

This paper examines the spatial factors that influence the career and educational choices of beauty school students in Tokyo, using data from a questionnaire survey. The results indicate that most respondents live with their parents within the Tokyo metropolitan area and implicitly choose schools located within commuting distance. By contrast, many students who do not live with their parents originate from outside the Tokyo region, and for them, the school’s location in Tokyo and its reputation were key selection criteria. Students’ preferred employment locations were concentrated in highly competitive areas with a high density of hair salons, primarily due to better access to information and a wider range of job opportunities. Some students living apart from their parents intend to eventually return to their hometowns, viewing local connections as essential for their career development. This suggests that the type of factor prioritized by students vary depending on their career stage. The spatial structure of these career trajectories indicates that the reproduction of hairstylists is shaped not only by students’ residential locations within Tokyo but also by their continued ties to their hometowns.