In my household, chores is a responsibility that everyone must do. I started doing chores when I learnt to walk and talk, so very early on. However, chores I did were easy and simple, like cleaning and picking up stuff.
Parents should enforce their kids to be more independent, maybe by having them go to school by themselves and making their own decisions. I believe the way Japanese kids are taught about independence is a bit of a stretch. To start in the morning, take several buses, some trains, and come home in the afternoon is too much of what six year-olds can handle. However, this is normal for them, and their ideals are different from ours, so I believe that Japanese kids can continue with this.
I first used transit in grade 4, going to school. I had to go by myself.
