Whether Relaxed Education Matters Professional/Managerial Occupation in the First Job? Evidence from Japanese Curriculum Guidelines

Abstract

Abstract The effects of subjects studied at the compulsory education stage on adult outcomes remains an open question. This paper offers evidence on this issue drawn from the massive reduction in instructional time in Japanese curriculum guidelines. Based on the specific subjects studied from primary to high school, their effects on the occupational status of males in their first job after school is studied and it is found that subjects studied in primary school strongly affect the likelihood of later entering professional/managerial occupations. In addition, it is also found that instructional time is the greatest at primary school and gradually diminishes in the later stages.