90% of Parents Want Children to Have Social Experience by Elementary School Age

NPO Kids Flea Market (Nakano, Tokyo; kids-fm.jp) conducted a survey of 52 parents of child vendors at its April 2026 Kids Flea Market event. The survey asked when parents want their children to gain experience learning about money and the value of goods. Approximately 90% responded 'by elementary school age,' and about half specifically said 'from the early grades.' The findings reflect growing parental emphasis on experiential learning amid rising prices and the spread of cashless payments. Parents also reported behavioral changes in their children after participating: kids became more careful with belongings, began tidying their rooms independently, and started thinking about passing usable items to others rather than discarding them. At Kids Flea Market events held nationwide, children independently set prices, interact with customers, manage sales proceeds, and pass on unneeded items to new owners. The NPO stated it will continue holding events across Japan to provide children with social experiences that foster independence and self-directed thinking. The organization was founded December 1, 2005, and received NPO legal status in 2009. It holds the registered trademark for 'Kids Flea Market' and has received endorsement from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of the Environment, and Financial Services Agency.