Contents

Household Section

Communications Usage Trend Survey (Households) Outline

1. Purpose of the Survey
To understand the actual status of postal services, telecommunications, and broadcast services usage, their trends, and the relationship between types of media as a foundation for administration policies of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
2. Method of the Survey
A survey (the 9th) targeting households was performed as an approved survey under the Statistical Reports Regulation Law.
3. Survey Summary
(1) Scope
A Area: Nationwide
B Households: Those whose household head was 20 years of age or older as of April 1, 1998

(2) Selection method
Random sampling

(3) Sample size
6,400

(4) Name list used
Basic resident register

(5) Sampling method
Two-stage stratified random sampling by city size

(6) Method of the Survey
Mail survey

(7) Period of the Survey
November 18th to November 30th, 1998

(8) Number of effective responses (rate)
4,098 (64.0%) {previous: 4,443 (69.4%)}

City Size Ku-area of Tokyo, government-ordinance-designated city, cities with prefectural governments

1,558

Other cities

1,821

Towns, villages

719

Household head by sex Male

3,710

Female

388

Household head by age 20 to 29 years

179

30 to 39 years

559

40 to 49 years

891

60 years or above (total)

1,477

60 to 64 years

478

65 years or above

999

Household head by occupation Worker

1,518

Management

495

Self-employed

111

Small business Owner

492

Self-employed in Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries

258

Student

15

Unemployed

781

Other

356

No answer

72


Number of people in the household 1

248

2

891

3

827

4

1,000

5

536

6 or more

537

No answer

59

Annual household income 4 million yen or less

964

4 to 6 million yen

855

6 to 8 million yen

727

8 to 10 million yen

627

10 to 15 million yen

558

15 to 20 million yen

154

20 million or more yen

86

No answer

127


(9) Points to keep in mind when reading this report
A. Response rate (Percentage of total answers) was rounded to the nearest 100th.Therefore, the answer rate may not match the total numbers.
B. Symbols used in this report are as follows:

N : The number of responses to that question, used as base for calculation of ratio.
Total responses : The total number of responses to questions that permit multiple answers
- (dash) : Indicates no respondents to that question
C. The sampling error of the main ratios and number of responses obtained in this survey are as follows :

Ratio

responses

5
95

10
90

15
85

20
80

25
75

30
70

35
65

30
60

45
55

50

4,000

1.0

1.3

1.6

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.2

2.2

2,000

1.4

1.9

2.3

2.5

2.7

2.9

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.2

1,000

1.9

2.7

3.2

3.6

3.9

4.1

4.3

4.4

4.4

4.5

800

2.2

3.0

3.6

4.0

4.3

4.6

4.8

4.9

5.0

5.0

600

2.5

3.5

4.1

4.6

5.0

5.3

5.5

5.7

5.7

5.8

400

3.1

4.2

5.0

5.7

6.1

6.5

6.7

6.9

7.0

7.1

200

4.4

6.0

7.1

8.0

8.7

9.2

9.5

9.8

9.9

10.0

100

6.2

8.5

10.1

11.3

12.2

13.0

13.5

13.9

14.1

14.1

  • How to read the above chart
    This survey was done on a sample group obtained by sub-stratified random sampling of the population (households where the household head is 20 years of age or older as of April 1, 1998). In surveys that use this sampling method, a difference may occur by chance between the results of the survey and the actual population. This is called "sampling error." The above chart shows a confidence level of 95% in the sampling error. Additionally, the sampling error confidence rate of 95% in this survey (b) was arrived at through the following formula

    D. Although the 15 respondents that answered "Student" as occupation were included in the chart, they were not included in the data analysis.
(10) Sampling plan

　 Household population size Number of sampling areas Sample size Number of cities, towns, and villages
Ku-area of Tokyo

3,646,075

5

500

23

government-ordinance-designated city

7,776,594

11

1,100

127

Cities with prefectural governments

4,561,888

7

700

36

Other cities

20,957,256

29

2,900

622

Towns, villages

8,556,360

12

1,200

2,562

Total

45,498,173

64

6,400

3,370



Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (1998)

Communications Usage Trend Survey Questionnaire
(Household)

(In filling out this survey, please pay attention to the following points.)
  1. The word "you" as it appears in these questions refers to the household head.
  2. The words "home" and "family" mean the same as "household," which indicates a collection of people with joint residence and living expenses or a person who maintains an independent residence.
  3. The target of this survey is the equipments and services that you or your family have used or are using jointly or individually. Equipments and services that are used solely for work purposes are not included. However, Equipments and services that you or your family have used or are using for both personal use and on the job are included in this survey.
  4. Please complete this survey as of October 1, 1998.
  5. Please return completed surveys (or make inquiries) to:
    New Information Center, Inc.
    Ebisu IS building 1-13-6 Ebisu Shibuya ward, Tokyo 150-0013
    Tel: 03(3473)5231, Fax: 03(3473)5353
  6. This survey is being conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.

Question 1 - Regarding postal services

(1) In your household has anyone in your family used the postal service or private courier service to send letters domestically in the month of October 1998 ? Please circle the number of pieces sent for each type separately.

　

Number of pieces sent

Did not use the postal service
　 1
piece		 2
pieces		 3 pieces 4 pieces 5 pieces 6 pieces 7 pieces 8 pieces 9 pieces 10 pieces or more sent 　
1 Letter

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

　 　 　

0

2 Postcard

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

　 　 　

0

3 Parcel post

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

　 　 　

0

4 Private courier

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

　 　 　

0

(2) At your household in the last year, what method did you use when contacting someone or send articles overseas? Please circle the number of each answer that applies.

1. Postal Service     2. EMS (Express Mail Service)    3. Letax       4. Parcel post  
5. Private courier 6. Telephone 7. Fax 8. Internet
9. Other means 10. Did not use any
(Multiple answers are acceptable)

Question 2 - Regarding "info-communications equipment"

(1) In your household, how many equipment in 1 to 3 do you own ? Additionally, for those households that do not currently own any of these equipment, are you considering owning them in the future ? Please circle the number corresponding to the answer for each type of equipment.

　

Currently own

Do not own

　 1 2 3 4 5
or more		 Will
purchase
within
1 year		 Would
like
to
own 		Do not
plan to
purchase
one
1 Cellular phone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2 PHS (Personal Handyphone System) (*a) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
3 Pager (*b) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Note : (*a), (*b) are explained in the glossary on page 8.

(2) The next question is only for those households that currently own a 1. cellular phone, 2 PHS (Personal Handyphone System), or 3. pager.
Please circle the age bracket of the primary user of these equipment in your household. For those households with multiple equipment, please put one answer for each equipment. If 2 or more people occupy the same age bracket, please only circle that age bracket once. (Please answer the age as of today.)

　 9 years or younger 10 - 14 years 15-19 years 20-29 years 30-39 years 40-49 years 50-59 years 60-64 years 65 or above
1 Cellular phone

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

2 PHS

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

3Pager

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9


(3) Do you own any of the equipment numbered 4 through 8 below? Additionally, for those households that do not currently own any of these equipment, are you considering owning them in the future? Please circle the number that corresponds to your answer for each equipment.

　

Currently Own

Do not currently own

　 　 Intend to own within one year Would like to own one Do not intend to own one
4Facsimile

1

2

3

4

5Personal Computer

1

2

3

4

6Word Processor

1

2

3

4

7Car navigation system (*c)

1

2

3

4

8PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)(*d)

1

2

3

4

Note: (*c) and (*d) are explained in the glossary on page 8.

(4) The next question is only for households that own a facsimile machine.
In your household, what do you use your facsimile machine for? Please circle all answers that apply.

  1. Placing orders to mail order companies
  2. Participate in quizzes and contests
  3. Answer surveys
  4. Acquire personal-use information
    (weather report, product/travel information, fortune telling)
  5. Communication (Situation updates, information)
  6. Send in personal opinions to editorials etc.
  7. Other
(Multiple answers are acceptable)

(5) Is anyone in your household 65 years of age or older? Please circle the number that corresponds to your answer. Additionally, does this person use the following equipment at your home ?

Is anyone in your family 65 years or older?

1. No          2. Yes


If you circled 2 above, please answer the next question.
Which equipment do they use? (multiple answers are acceptable)
  1. Facsimile
  2. Personal computer
  3. Word processor
  4. PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)
  5. Does not use any of these equipment

Question 3 - Regarding problems with cellular phones/PHS
How do you (the household head) feel about using a cellular phone or PHS in the following places. Please circle the number that corresponds to your answer for each of the places 1 through 7 listed below.
　 Use should be prohibited Use should be regulated Regulation is not necessary
1 Hospitals/Medical institutions

1

2

3

2 While driving an automobile

1

2

3

3 At school

1

2

3

4 In Movie theaters and theaters

1

2

3

5 In museums and libraries

1

2

3

6 In Cafe's and restaurants

1

2

3

7 On trains/buses

1

2

3


Question 4 - Regarding ISDN line
Are you using an ISDN line in your household ? Please circle the number of your answer.
  1. Yes, I use one
  2. I am not using one but I know what it is
  3. I am not using one but I have heard the name before
  4. I have never heard of it

Question 5 - Regarding Online services and the Internet

(1) Is anyone in your family using an online service at home ? If not, are you considering using one? Please circle the number that corresponds to your answer.

  1. Using
  2. Not using, but plan to use within one year
  3. Not using, but would like to
  4. Not using and do not plan to use in the future

(2) Is anyone in your family using the Internet at home ? If not, are you considering using it?
Please circle the number that corresponds to your answer.

  1. Using
  2. Not using, but plan to use within one year
  3. Not using, but would like to
  4. Not using and do not plan to use in the future

If you circled 1 above, please answer the following question.
If you are using the Internet in your home, what method do you use to access it? Please circle all that apply.
  1. Via an online service's Internet access
  2. Type 1 carrier's Internet access service (OCN, ODN, DION, Sirius)
  3. Cable television operator's Internet access service
  4. Other provider's (ISP's) Internet access.

(3) The next question is only for those households using either an online service or the Internet.
How frequently do you use the online service or the Internet? Circle the number of the answer that applies. If more than one person is using these services in your household, please answer for the person who uses them the most.

  1. Almost every day
  2. Three or more times per week
  3. Once or twice per week
  4. Two or more times per month
  5. Less than once per month

(4) This question is for all household head
Do you currently use online services or the Internet? Please circle all that apply. (Please include usage outside the home such as at work or school.)

  1. Use at home
  2. Use at work
  3. I work at home and use it
  4. Use at school
  5. Use at other places not listed
  6. Not using
(Multiple answers are acceptable)

(5) For what purpose do you use online services or the Internet? Please circle all that apply.
(If you are planning to use these services in the future, answer as to why you would like to use these services).

  1. Contact, Communicate with a particular person.
  2. Create my own homepage/publish personal information
  3. Online shopping
  4. Online banking
  5. Internet telephone
  6. Download freeware and software
  7. Acquire business information, business documentation
  8. Acquire information on hobby or travel
  9. Participate in quizzes and contests
  10. Answer surveys
  11. Play games, fortune telling
  12. Other uses
(Multiple answers acceptable)

Question 6 - Regarding services anticipated due to advances in info-communications technology
Out of the services thought to become widespread in the near future due to advances in info-communications technology, which are you most looking forward to? Out of the services listed below, please choose up to 3 services that you would like to use in the home. Put your answers in the boxes provided below in the order of desirability.
If you circled number 16, please enter that number in the box for "Most desired"
  1. On screen medical consultation (examination) with a physician
  2. Be able to provide welfare/nursing services to the elderly via TV phone
  3. Be able to leaf through a catalog, see products, and shop on screen
  4. Video on demand (be able to select the movie you would like to watch at the time you would like to watch it)
  5. Be able to watch dozens of TV stations with high definition TV
  6. Be able to participate in hobbies, education, and lectures on screen
  7. Using computers and networks, play the latest computer games against people in other locations
  8. Government administration services, such as applications/reports, and reserving public facilities
  9. Home banking (checking account balance and wiring money)
  10. Be able to search for news articles and view (read) them on screen
  11. Cashless shopping with e-money
  12. TV phone (be able to view on screen the person you are talking to)
  13. Telework (Do the same work as at the office, but do it from home via computer)
  14. Be able to receive classroom instruction in real time via computer
  15. Other services (Please explain:                                        )
  16. No particular desire

1. Most desired 　 2. Next most desired 　 3. Next most desired 　

Question 7 - Regarding "Cable television and satellite broadcast television"
Do you view in your home any of the television broadcasts listed in 1 to 3 below? Please circle the appropriate number for each of the services listed. If you view BS or CS broadcasts via your cable television service provider, please circle 1 for each of those categories.
Additionally, for those households that do not view cable television, is cable television service provided in your area? Please circle the appropriate number.
　

View

Do not view

1 Cable television (CATV) (*e)

1

2

2 BS broadcasts NHK (Satellite 1 and 2) (*f)

1

2

3BS broadcast WOWOW (*g) or CS broadcast (*h)

1

2

Note: (*e) through (*h) are explained in the glossary on page 8.

Is cable television provided in your area?

1. Yes         2. No        3. Not sure


Question 8 - Regarding "Communication and Broadcast services fees"
In the month of October 1998, how much did you pay in total for the domestic communication and broadcast services used at home and listed in 1 to 5 below? Please circle the appropriate number for each.
However, because of changes in NTT's billing periods, the bill amount for October will be different than usual months. Please use the September's bill for answering number 3. Telephone fee.
1 Postal fees... Include express delivery charges and registered mail charges as well as letters, postcards, and parcel post charges.

  1. Did not use
  2. 1 to 199 yen
  3. 200 to 499 yen
  4. 500 to 999 yen
  5. 1,000 to 2,999 yen
  6. 3,000 to 4,999 yen
  7. 5,000 to 9,999 yen
  8. 10,000 yen or more

2 Private courier fees... Private courier, motorcycle messenger fees.

  1. Did not use
  2. 1 to 999 yen
  3. 1000 to 2999 yen
  4. 3000 to 4999 yen
  5. 5000 to 9999 yen
  6. 10000 yen or more

3 Telephone charges... Basic monthly charge and call fees total. (Note: please answer for September 1998)

  1. Did not use
  2. 1 to 1,999 yen
  3. 2,000 to 3,999 yen
  4. 4,000 to 4,999 yen
  5. 5,000 to 5,999 yen
  6. 6,000 to 6,999 yen
  7. 7,000 to 7,999 yen
  8. 8,000 to 9,999 yen
  9. 10,000 to 14,999 yen
  10. 15,000 to 19,999 yen
  11. 20,000 to 29,999 yen
  12. 30,000 yen or more

4 Mobile communications charges... cellular phone, car phone, PHS (Personal Handyphone System) basic charges and call charges total and pager usage fee (do not include sign-up fees or the cost of the equipment itself). If you pay these on a yearly basis or several months in one bill, please calculate the average monthly cost.

  1. Did not use
  2. 1 to 2,999 yen
  3. 3,000 to 3,999 yen
  4. 4,000 to 5,999 yen
  5. 6,000 to 7,999 yen
  6. 8,000 to 9,999 yen
  7. 10,000 to 14,999 yen
  8. 15,000 to 19,999 yen
  9. 20,000 to 29,999 yen
  10. 30,000 yen or more

5 Online service and Internet charges... basic monthly service charges. Do NOT include call charges.

  1. Did not use
  2. 1 to 1,999 yen
  3. 2,000 to 3,999 yen
  4. 4,000 to 5,999 yen
  5. 6,000 to 7,999 yen
  6. 8,000 to 9,999 yen
  7. 10,000 to 14,999 yen
  8. 15,000 to 19,999 yen
  9. 20,000 to 29,999 yen
  10. 30,000 yen or more

6 Domestic telecommunication charges total... total of amounts in items 3 through 5.

  1. Did not use
  2. 1 to 1,999 yen
  3. 2,000 to 3,999 yen
  4. 4,000 to 5,999 yen
  5. 6,000 to 7,999 yen
  6. 8,000 to 9,999 yen
  7. 10,000 to 14,999 yen
  8. 15,000 to 19,999 yen
  9. 20,000 to 29,999 yen
  10. 30,000 to 39,999 yen
  11. 40,000 to 49,999 yen
  12. 50,000 yen or more

7 Broadcast viewing charges…total amount paid for NHK reception, satellite broadcast services fee (BS and CS), and cable television services. Do not include one- time membership fees, contract fees, or the cost of any equipment purchased. If you pay on a yearly basis or several months together, please calculate and answer using the average monthly cost.

  1. Do not use
  2. 1 to 1,999 yen
  3. 2,000 to 2,999 yen
  4. 3,000 to 3,999 yen
  5. 4,000 to 4,999 yen
  6. 5,000 yen or more

Lastly, regarding you and your family
F1 What is your age. Please circle the appropriate number. (Answer as of today)

  1. 20 to 29 years
  2. 30 to 39 years
  3. 40 to 49 years
  4. 50 to 59 years
  5. 60 to 64 years
  6. 65 years or more

F2 What is your sex. Please circle the appropriate number.

  1. Male
  2. Female

F3 What is your occupation? Please circle the appropriate number.

  1. Worker (Company, Association, Government office, {excluding management})
  2. Management (Enterprises with 30 employees or more, Association, Government office management)
  3. Self-employed (Doctor, Lawyer, artisan, etc.)
  4. Small business owner (Manager of store or enterprises with less than 30 staff)
  5. Self-employed in Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries
  6. Student
  7. Unemployed
  8. Other

F4 How many people are in your family? Please circle the appropriate number.

  1. One person
  2. Two people
  3. Three people
  4. Four people
  5. Five people
  6. Six people or more

F5 What was your families total pre-tax income for last year? Please circle the appropriate number.

  1. 2 million yen or less
  2. 2 to 3.9 million yen
  3. 4 to 5.9 million yen
  4. 6 to 7.9 million yen
  5. 8 to 9.9 million yen
  6. 10 to 14.9 million yen
  7. 15 to 19.9 million yen
  8. 20 million yen or more



<<Glossary>>


(a) PHS (Personal Handyphone System)
A mobile communication system that is similar to a cordless phone that works outside of the home as well. Its special characteristic is that high-speed data transmission is possible. Compared to a cellular phone, the cost is cheaper, but it has restrictions such as it can not be used while travelling at high speeds.

(b) Pager
Through alarms, vibration, number and letter display, it is a mobile receiver that notifies the user of certain events.

(c) Car navigation system
This device can recognize the location of the automobile by reception of a satellite signal, and can indicate the location and direction off travel on a map stored on a CD-ROM.

(d) PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)
A small-scale personal computer. They range from day-planner size (14.8 cm X 21 cm) to notebook size (21 cm X 29 cm). They contain scheduling, address, memo, and other personal information management software and, through a cellular phone or PHS (simple cellular phone) can send e-mail, access the Internet, or remote access a company LAN.

(e) Cable television (CATV)
Television broadcast that come over a cable. Normally, in addition to the channels that are provided via over-the-air broadcasts, cable television provides original local programs, sports, music, news, and satellite station programs. Many more channels can be viewed on cable than traditional television broadcast methods.
This does not include cable television as a countermeasure to poor reception in fringe areas.

(f) BS broadcast NHK (satellite 1 and 2)
Among the television broadcasts done via satellite, this refers to the two channels that NHK manages (called BS 1 and BS 2). Viewers can receive these channels directly through a parabola and tuner, or indirectly via cable television relay, but you must sign-up for this service.

(g) BS broadcast WOWOW
Among the television broadcasts done via satellite, this refers to the channel managed by Japan Satellite Broadcasting, Inc. Viewers can receive these channels directly through a parabola, tuner, and special decoder, or indirectly via cable television relay, but you must sign-up for this service.

(h) CS Broadcast
Using a communications satellite, special television and radio programs are broadcast. These include such things as movies, overseas news programs, sports, music, and other specialty programming. Viewers can receive these channels directly through a parabola, tuner, and special decoder, or indirectly via cable television relay, but you must sign-up for this service.



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