I remember doing chores from a pretty young age. I started doing small chores around the age of 5; simple things like dusting or cleaning my room. The independence of Japanese children is admirable. Children younger than 5 are taught to be independent and run errands while alone. If I ever had kids I would want them to be able to do the same, however, while I would trust my kids, I wouldn’t trust the other people around my kids. Japan’s low crime rate is an important factor in the independence of the children. I would make sure my kids are responsible enough to get to school themselves. Whether they have to take the bus, walk, or ride a bike, I would make sure that they know the proper route to get to and from school; as did I when I entered elementary school.