What kind of job do you want to have in the future? If you know what jobs your friends and classmates around you are interested in, you may want to refer to them. This time, we conducted a survey of the most frequently read jobs in 2024 using the "Find Future Jobs" corner of Gakken Kids' Net, where you can research more than 200 jobs. The top 10 jobs are ranked as the hottest jobs in 2025. In the latter half of the article, we will introduce the top 5 most read jobs in 2024 from the "Certifications & Exams" corner as well.
Gaming and sports top the list; breeders appear for the first time.
In the 2025 ranking, gaming and sports occupied the top spots, with baseball players in third place, up from eighth the year before last and sixth last year, possibly due to the success of Shohei Ohtani in Major League Baseball, an American professional baseball league. e-sports players, who made their first appearance last year, maintained their fifth place this year. The e-sports player, who appeared for the first time last year, retained his 5th place this time as well. nursery school teacher (4th) and cake designer (6th) are also popular every year. breeder appeared for the first time in 7th place. The first entry at No. 7 was a breeder, perhaps because of the attention given to shelter dogs and cats on TV and in the press? Doctors are back on the list at No. 10. Instead of breeders and doctors, hairdressers/hair designers (No. 8 last year) and programmers (No. 10 last year) were left off the list.
1st Game creator
Game creator is a term for everyone involved in the production of computer and smartphone games. Game production is a collaborative effort involving dozens to a hundred specialists. There are planning positions, such as planners who think about what kind of game to create, and technical positions, such as scenario writers who write the story and programmers who program the game to run correctly. Programmers, as well as those who aspire to other jobs, should learn basic knowledge of computers and programming languages. The development period of a game is as long as one to two years, and passion is also necessary.
2nd Soccer player
Soccer players are one of the most flowery professions among professional athletes. They sign a contract with a soccer club team and earn an income by playing an active role. Japan's professional soccer leagues are divided into J1, J2, and J3, and players strive to win championships in each class. An increasing number of players are scouted by overseas club teams to play outside of Japan. To become a professional soccer player, a player can play for a high school or university team and be scouted by a professional club team, or he can join a youth team of a professional soccer club (a training organization run by a professional soccer club) and be recognized as a successful player and join a club team.
3rd Baseball player
Baseball players are a prime example of athletes who inspire spectators with their play. They sign contracts with professional baseball teams and earn income by playing in games. In Japan, the 12 teams belonging to the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) are the main players, but there are also an increasing number of independent, community-based leagues throughout the country that are not affiliated with the NPB, and opportunities to become a professional baseball player are expanding. The field of activity is not limited to Japan, and some Japanese players have even made a splash in Major League Baseball, the professional baseball league in the United States, which is considered the world's premier professional league. To become a professional baseball player, the first step is to show one's ability on a high school, university, or adult team. The most common way to become a professional baseball player is to catch the eye of a scout for a baseball team and be selected in the draft.
4th Nursery school teacher
Childcare workers play the role of "parents plus teacher" who take care of and nurture children. They are suited to those who have the nurturing power and playful spirit to deal with those who cannot be reasoned with by adults. In addition to taking care of children, nursery school teachers also help children with lifestyle-related matters such as diet, as well as with language and motor development. National certification is required to become a childcare worker. Qualification can be obtained by graduating from a training facility (university, junior college, or vocational school) designated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, or by passing the nursery teacher examination, which is held twice a year. Although the number of infants and toddlers is decreasing due to the declining birthrate, the national and local governments are actively providing "child-rearing support," and opportunities for nursery school teachers are expanding.
5th e-sports player
eSports players compete in competitive computer and video game tournaments to win. eSports stands for "electronic sports." There are no qualifications to become an eSports player, but it is difficult to become a professional just because you like games. It is difficult to become a professional just because you like video games. It is advisable to acquire knowledge and skills at a high school or university that offers specialized courses and departments. If you perform well in tournaments, you may be scouted by professional gaming teams, and the Japan e-Sports Union (JeSU) issues its own professional licenses based on your performance in tournaments. The popularity of e-sports overseas is even greater than in Japan, and it may become an Olympic sport in the future.
The e-Typing Master is a certification test to determine how fast and accurately one can type on a computer keyboard. Some computer novices may be self-taught in keyboard typing, which is a common stumbling block for computer novices, but it is difficult to type while checking the letters (kana and alphabet) on the keyboard surface. The e-Typing Master is a certification test to improve the skill of "touch typing," in which you type without looking at your hand and with your gaze fixed on the monitor (screen), and anyone can take the test.
The History Proficiency Test is a test to acquire knowledge and understanding of history that is different from school tests and exam questions. It does not test the results of memorization, but rather asks students to think about the events behind world events, and covers topics seen and heard in TV epic dramas and quiz shows. Studying history is meaningful not only for learning about the past, but also for acquiring better wisdom and ideas about how humanity should live toward the future. Grade 5 for elementary school students and Grade 4 for junior high school students is a standard level that can be challenged based on what they have studied in school.
Official soccer referees are qualified to officiate at official matches. There are different levels from Level 4 to Level 1, and the sponsoring organization differs depending on the rank. The first step, Level 4, is sponsored by each prefecture, and anyone can obtain it by attending a training session. The only requirement is that the participant must be at least 12 years old and in good physical and mental health. If you are currently playing soccer or enjoy watching live soccer broadcasts, feel free to take up the challenge.
The certification test is designed to develop the ability to read and use maps in a fun way by learning how to read map symbols and contour lines, what can be read from maps, and the topography and climate of the world. The certification test is divided into two levels: "Basic" and "Specialized. If you achieve a high score in the "Specialty" level, the higher of the two levels, you will be certified as a "Doctor of Map Geography". However, the "Specialty" level includes difficult questions at the level of university entrance examinations, making it difficult for elementary and junior high school students to pass the exam. On the other hand, questions in the "Basic" level are based on content from elementary and junior high school textbooks and events in the news, and the answers are multiple-choice, so even elementary and junior high school students can aim to pass the exam.
The Home Cooking Proficiency Test is a test of comprehensive knowledge and skills in cooking. Passing the test does not guarantee a job in that field, but it is a good benchmark for testing one's skills. More than a quarter of the examinees are elementary and junior high school students. Levels 4 and 5 are completed online, so you can take the test at home from your smartphone or tablet. Levels 1 to 3 have a second practical test, and it is said that "passing level 2 is enough to open a cooking school.
