Shufu Senryu 2026 Application Trends: The Reality of Homemakers Seen in a Record 6,769 Poems - AI as a Confidant / Changing Household Roles / Realities Surrounding the Income Barrier

B-Style Media Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Kiyofumi Ishibashi), which operates the job site 'Shufu-JOB' within the B-Style Group, held the 'Shufu-JOB Presents Shufu Senryu' event and received a record-breaking 6,769 entries. This year, too, there were many excellent works that sharply captured the current times. We are pleased to report on three particularly prominent themes observed this year:

■ 'Shufu-JOB Presents Shufu Senryu 2026' Application Trends

For more details on 'Shufu-JOB Presents Shufu Senryu', please see below:

⇒https://part.shufu-job.jp/news/survey/17681/

*The special page introduces episodes from the submitters of each nominated work.

1. Penetration of Generative AI into Daily Life - Its Presence as a Confidant and Expanding Utilization

A prominent theme among the submitted works was the penetration of generative AI into daily life. It was evident that generative AI is being utilized as a close confidant for things like meal planning and everyday worries.

Even in Shufu-JOB Research Institute's 'AI Impact' survey, it was confirmed that generative AI, which had a large number of non-users in 2023, saw its users with experience exceed half by 2025, indicating rapid adoption in a short period.

In senryu as well, many expressions treated generative AI as a confidant, revealing a change in how people interact with it in their daily lives. Furthermore, the submitted works humorously depict daily life relying on generative AI, while also showing a sense of mastering its use and experiencing changes in relationships.

▽ Representative Works (Partial Excerpt)

2. Changing Household Roles and the Spread of Househusbands - Along with the Expansion of Paternity Leave

In recent years, men's participation in childcare has progressed, and the acquisition of paternity leave has expanded. Last July, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare advocated for "Kyōiku (Tomoiku)" (co-parenting), promoting a shift towards a society where childcare is shared by both genders.

Against the backdrop of these societal changes, household roles are also beginning to shift. Many submissions focused on the theme of "househusbands," indicating that the reevaluation of household roles is spreading across a wide range of age groups, not limited to those eligible for paternity leave. On the other hand, the realities expressed in the senryu also reveal trials and errors in household division of labor and communication. As roles are reevaluated, each family is seen to be searching for balance. Furthermore, the submitted works also showed a proactive attitude towards engaging in housework and childcare, and a positive perception of the insights and changes that arise from it.

▽ Representative Works (Partial Excerpt) Illustration

3. Realities Surrounding the Income Barrier and the Reality of Working Styles

With institutional revisions underway, such as the change in the income threshold of 1.3 million yen from April 2026, the theme of the income barrier once again attracted many submissions. The senryu depict the reality of working while being conscious of institutional constraints despite wanting to increase income, confusion over working at a loss, and the daily reality of meticulously adjusting shifts and income.

In Shufu-JOB Research Institute's survey on 'Minimum Wage and Dependent Status', 30% of respondents stated they reduced working hours to stay within the dependent status income limit, while approximately 60% would consider leaving dependent status if their hourly wage was 1,500 yen or more, and 90% if it was 2,000 yen or more, indicating that income levels influence decisions about working styles. The submitted works reveal the reality of individuals seeking working styles that suit their lives while adapting to institutional changes.

▽ Representative Works (Partial Excerpt) Illustration

■ (Bonus) Submissions related to the weak yen and travel amidst rising prices

Submissions related to rising prices were numerous again this time, with some also mentioning the weak yen and travel. It is evident that changes in the economic environment are affecting daily life, such as hesitation to travel abroad due to the weak yen and efforts to cope in daily life.

■ Schedule

・Nominated works announcement: March 12, 2026 (Thursday)

・Second selection (public voting): March 12, 2026 (Thursday) - April 8, 2026 (Wednesday)

・Award-winning works press conference: April 20, 2026 (Monday) 11:00 AM @ SHIDAX Culture Hall

For more details, please see below:

⇒【Special Page】https://part.shufu-job.jp/news/survey/17681/

*The special page introduces episodes from the submitters of each nominated work.

Past award-winning works here:

2025：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001006.000003176.html

2024：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000915.000003176.html

2023：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000818.000003176.html

FAQ

How many entries were there for Shufu Senryu 2026?

There were a record-breaking 6,769 entries.

What are the main trends observed in this year's Shufu Senryu?

The main trends are the penetration of generative AI into daily life, changes in household roles, and the reality surrounding income barriers.

Until when can the public vote?

Public voting for the 60 nominated works is open until Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

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