Table 8
After-school lessons X gender (Figures show the percentage taking lessons)
  Total Male Female
Swimming 37.7 43.0 32.4
Sports and gymnastics 15.0 18.9 11.1
Local sports team 6.4 11.5 1.3
Ballet and rhythmical gymnastics 6.2 1.0 11.5
Musical instruments (private lessons for piano, violin, etc.) 20.9 11.6 30.3
Music for pre-school children 9.3 6.9 11.8
Drawing and plastic art 5.0 5.3 4.7
Calligraphy 8.2 6.8 9.7
Abacus 2.0 2.7 1.4
Language classes and private English conversation lessons, etc. 10.3 10.7 9.9
Pre-school children's class and playroom not for entrance exams 4.9 4.6 5.1
Classes using printed materials for math and dictation 9.5 10.2 8.9
Correspondence education with monthly delivery of teaching materials 20.5 21.0 20.1
One-time purchase of correspondence education and teaching materials 5.4 4.8 6.0
Cram schools or tutors for entrance exams 1.6 1.7 1.5
Classes and activities run by local governments 3.3 2.8 3.9
Note: Answers were provided by non-members of Benesse's correspondence education to give a balanced look at after-school learning