[Survey Results] Over 70% of Adults Spend Less Than 5,000 Yen/Month on 'Learning'. The Underlying Reason is Not 'Saving' But a 'Don't Want to Lose' Mentality Due to Past Failures
A survey by CBT Solutions revealed that over 70% of adults spend less than 5,000 yen monthly on learning, driven by risk aversion from past failures.
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The learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' has published its latest survey article on the theme of 'Adult Studying and Cost Consciousness' in its series [Manabi Insight], which analyzes everything from trends in qualifications and skill improvement to social changes surrounding learning from multiple angles.
The learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' is one of the largest qualification and certification information sites in Japan, operated by CBT Solutions Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Koji Noguchi).
In this survey targeting 1,701 people, it was found that about 76% of learners study for less than 5,000 yen per month. Behind this, a bitter experience of feeling that 'it was not worth the cost' in past correspondence courses and material choices, and the resulting earnest risk-averse psychology of 'not wanting to lose money', became apparent.
See details of the survey results
▼ Survey Results Summary
1. The standard budget for learning is 'less than 5,000 yen a month'. High-investment group is only 1%
The monthly learning cost is overwhelmingly 'less than 5,000 yen (about 44.0%)' and 'hardly spending any money (32.2%)'. In contrast, those who invest '30,000 yen or more' remain at 1.3%, showing that a style of studying wisely on a low budget has taken root.
2. Behind wanting to 'keep it cheap' is the honest feeling of 'not wanting to lose' due to past failures
The top expense that people felt 'was not worth the cost' is 'correspondence courses (23.8%)'. Experiences where they paid expensive tuition fees but 'didn't continue' or 'it didn't suit them' seem to be a psychological brake driving modern learners toward 'self-study (74.0%)' and 'free content'.
3. Seeking a 'rewarding system' rather than 'cheapness'
As for future support, there were many voices requesting 'full refund of exam fees' or 'cashback/congratulatory money' upon passing. Rather than refusing to pay itself, we can see a tendency to seek a strong sense of conviction in their investment: 'I want to pay/recover compensation for having produced results'.
In the article, the above contents are explained in detail using graphs of the survey results.
See details of the survey results
[Survey Overview]
Survey period: 2025/09/01 - 10/15
Survey method: Internet survey
Survey target: Men and women in their teens to 60s
Valid responses: 1,701
▼ About Article Introduction
If you are going to introduce the article from this series, please specify the media name 'Learning Media "Japan Qualification and Certification"' and the article URL (https://jpsk.jp/articles/manabi-insight_05.html).
▼ What is the learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification'?
The learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' is one of Japan's largest qualification and certification information sites. We deliver various content connected to qualifications and certifications, including information on about 1,300 qualifications and certifications and campaigns related to them.
In addition to qualification and certification information, we also distribute original content useful for learning and skill improvement. We support everyone from their encounter with qualifications/certifications to their studying, taking exams, and passing.
Learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification': https://jpsk.jp
New article list: https://jpsk.jp/articles
▼ Company Profile
CBT Solutions Inc.
As an IT venture company leading the testing industry, we provide CBT services that computerize everything from exam applications to exam fee payments, testing, scoring, and pass/fail determination processing.
We have deployed test centers in all 47 prefectures nationwide, and boast a domestic market share of over 80% in the CBT market. In addition, we lead the industry with various services, such as operating the learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' which correctly conveys qualifications to the world.
Representative: Representative Director and President Koji Noguchi
Established: May 2009
Location: 6F AKS Building, 3 Kanda Neribeicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Corporate website: https://cbt-s.com
Major Businesses
Comprehensive exam management outsourcing service (CBT, PBT, IBT), Exam support system construction service
Administrative outsourcing, printing, data processing, and analysis services
Operation of learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification'
Operation of direct test centers (Kabukiza, Yokohama, Okayama, Kobe, Sendai, Sapporo)
https://cbt-s.com/professional-tc
The learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' is one of the largest qualification and certification information sites in Japan, operated by CBT Solutions Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Koji Noguchi).
In this survey targeting 1,701 people, it was found that about 76% of learners study for less than 5,000 yen per month. Behind this, a bitter experience of feeling that 'it was not worth the cost' in past correspondence courses and material choices, and the resulting earnest risk-averse psychology of 'not wanting to lose money', became apparent.
See details of the survey results
▼ Survey Results Summary
1. The standard budget for learning is 'less than 5,000 yen a month'. High-investment group is only 1%
The monthly learning cost is overwhelmingly 'less than 5,000 yen (about 44.0%)' and 'hardly spending any money (32.2%)'. In contrast, those who invest '30,000 yen or more' remain at 1.3%, showing that a style of studying wisely on a low budget has taken root.
2. Behind wanting to 'keep it cheap' is the honest feeling of 'not wanting to lose' due to past failures
The top expense that people felt 'was not worth the cost' is 'correspondence courses (23.8%)'. Experiences where they paid expensive tuition fees but 'didn't continue' or 'it didn't suit them' seem to be a psychological brake driving modern learners toward 'self-study (74.0%)' and 'free content'.
3. Seeking a 'rewarding system' rather than 'cheapness'
As for future support, there were many voices requesting 'full refund of exam fees' or 'cashback/congratulatory money' upon passing. Rather than refusing to pay itself, we can see a tendency to seek a strong sense of conviction in their investment: 'I want to pay/recover compensation for having produced results'.
In the article, the above contents are explained in detail using graphs of the survey results.
See details of the survey results
[Survey Overview]
Survey period: 2025/09/01 - 10/15
Survey method: Internet survey
Survey target: Men and women in their teens to 60s
Valid responses: 1,701
▼ About Article Introduction
If you are going to introduce the article from this series, please specify the media name 'Learning Media "Japan Qualification and Certification"' and the article URL (https://jpsk.jp/articles/manabi-insight_05.html).
▼ What is the learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification'?
The learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' is one of Japan's largest qualification and certification information sites. We deliver various content connected to qualifications and certifications, including information on about 1,300 qualifications and certifications and campaigns related to them.
In addition to qualification and certification information, we also distribute original content useful for learning and skill improvement. We support everyone from their encounter with qualifications/certifications to their studying, taking exams, and passing.
Learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification': https://jpsk.jp
New article list: https://jpsk.jp/articles
▼ Company Profile
CBT Solutions Inc.
As an IT venture company leading the testing industry, we provide CBT services that computerize everything from exam applications to exam fee payments, testing, scoring, and pass/fail determination processing.
We have deployed test centers in all 47 prefectures nationwide, and boast a domestic market share of over 80% in the CBT market. In addition, we lead the industry with various services, such as operating the learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification' which correctly conveys qualifications to the world.
Representative: Representative Director and President Koji Noguchi
Established: May 2009
Location: 6F AKS Building, 3 Kanda Neribeicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Corporate website: https://cbt-s.com
Major Businesses
Comprehensive exam management outsourcing service (CBT, PBT, IBT), Exam support system construction service
Administrative outsourcing, printing, data processing, and analysis services
Operation of learning media 'Japan Qualification and Certification'
Operation of direct test centers (Kabukiza, Yokohama, Okayama, Kobe, Sendai, Sapporo)
https://cbt-s.com/professional-tc