Abstract
In Japan, although educational opportunities are institutionally guaranteed nationwide, children’s lifestyle behaviors outside of school are largely shaped by family environments, giving rise to what has been described as experience disparities. While diverse childhood experiences are widely recognized as important for long-term capability formation, their actual patterns of implementation have not been sufficiently documented. This study therefore aims to clarify disparities in leisure activities outside of school associated with household economic conditions and regional differences, and to demonstrate the necessity of developing facilities and access that ensure all children can engage in diverse and enriching experiences. Nationwide analysis indicates that children from lower-income households are more likely to engage in sports and hobbies infrequently—or not at all—underscoring the need to further advance efforts to secure equitable opportunities for leisure activities. Moreover, an examination of the number of activity types reveals that disparities in the diversity of hobbies and entertainment are shaped by both city size and household income. Analysis of specific activity categories shows particularly pronounced differences in sports such as skiing and mountaineering, which require substantial equipment and travel costs, as well as in hobbies and entertainment such as concerts, which can only be held in limited locations. In contrast, digital activities such as playing games on smartphones or consoles exhibit minimal variation by income or region and are practiced by a substantial proportion of children.
