Abstract
Following our research of time use by employed husbands and their wives in Tokyo in 1975, 1980, 1985, and 1990, we conducted in October 1995 the fifth survey of some couples with children living in Setagaya, Tokyo.
This report contains the purpose, method and outline of this survey. The primary purpose of this research is to clarify the existence of unpaid work time, not only in housework but also in gainful working hours. We advertised the purpose of our survey in a newsletter issued by the local administration, seeking volunteers. A total of 162 couples responded, and 136 couples or 272 persons were chosen as effective samples.
The results were as follows :
1) In comparison with the past surveys, both the husbands and their wives spent more time at work.
2) The average housework time by husbands increased slightly.
3) Generally speaking, the couples spent less time for personal care as well as social/cultural activities.
