TOKYO -- The difference in time men and women spend on housework, child care and caregiving has narrowed by more than one hour per day compared to two years ago, but there is still a large gap, according to an internet survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in July and August.

The survey also found that while women's level of satisfaction with the division of housework and child care has increased, they also expressed concerns such as "wanting to share the burden but not being able to communicate it effectively" and "taking on too much" themselves.

The average daily time spent on housework, child care and caregiving for women was 7 hours and 48 minutes, which was 1 hour and 35 minutes shorter than in 2023, marking the lowest figure since the survey began. For men, it was 3 hours and 29 minutes, a decrease of 28 minutes from 2023. The gender gap was 4 hours and 19 minutes, 1 hour and 7 minutes shorter than two years ago.

With the narrowing time gap, women's satisfaction with the division of housework and child care increased. Those who were "very satisfied" or "somewhat satisfied" totaled 60.1%, a 12.1 percentage point increase from the 2023 survey. For men, the figure was 80.8%, a 2.5 percentage point increase. According to an official from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Bureau of Citizens and Cultural Affairs, women tended to be more satisfied when their husbands took paternity leave.

When asked about their concerns regarding housework and child care, with multiple answers allowed, the most common response among men was "no particular concerns" at 31.6%, followed by "not having enough time" at 28.8% and "wanting to share the burden but not being able to communicate it effectively" at 20.3%. For women, the top concern was "wanting to share the burden but not being able to communicate it effectively" at 28.2%, closely followed by "taking on too much myself" at 28.1%. These were followed by "no particular concerns" at 26.3% and "not having enough time" at 20.1%.

Regarding dissatisfaction with their spouses' involvement in housework and child care, men most frequently reported "no particular dissatisfaction" at 43.6%, followed by "being criticized or interfered with, or being told to redo tasks" at 23.8% and "not being appreciated or receiving any response" at 19.1%. For women, the top dissatisfaction with their husbands was "not doing housework or caring for children unless I ask" at 33.4%, followed by "housework and child care are done sloppily, not as told, or with different procedures" at 30.3%, and "not being appreciated or receiving any response" at 27.2%.

Career consultant Tae Amano analyzed the reduction in time spent on housework, child care and caregiving, stating, "We are in an era in which people are conscious of time efficiency and cost-effectiveness even at home, and this reflects the growing number of people who manage housework without overburdening themselves by effectively using appliances and housekeeping services."

The Tokyo government has conducted the "survey on men's involvement in housework and child care" every two years since 2019, and this is the fourth iteration. The survey targeted 2,000 men and 2,000 women raising preschool-age children in Tokyo, as well as 1,000 people from all age groups, totaling 5,000 respondents. The results will be used as a reference for policymaking.

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By the numbers: Dissatisfaction with spouses' level of housework, child care

- Housework and child care are done sloppily, not as told, or with different procedures.

Men: 18.1% / Women: 30.3%

- Not being appreciated or receiving any response for undertaking housework and child care.

Men: 19.1% / Women: 27.2%

- Not doing housework or caring for children unless I ask.

Men: 9.3% / Women: 33.4%

- Taking it for granted that housework and child care will be done.

Men: 12.1% / Women: 26.7%

- Being criticized, interfered with, or asked or made to redo tasks even when taking care of housework and child care.

Men: 23.8% / Women: 8.5%

- No particular dissatisfaction.

Men: 43.6% / Women: 25.4%

Responses are from the child-rearing generation, with multiple answers allowed.

(Japanese original by Kazuo Yanagisawa, Tokyo City News Department)