A recent survey conducted by the Kaji Kentei Jikko Iinkai (Housework Aptitude Test Association) reveals a great deal about the aspirations inside Japanese homes. Apparently, a surprisingly large number of married Japanese men — nearly 30 percent — would not mind being househusbands. This may not yet be a revolution in gender roles, but it involves more than just tidy homes!

The survey found that many men were already spending significant time doing traditionally "female" housework duties. In Hokkaido, men spent an average 54 minutes a day at housekeeping duties, while Tokyo men averaged 48.4 minutes. At the top, though, were Tokyo husbands in their 40s, who rack up an amazing 70 minutes of housework per day. That certainly gives a new spin to the old economic term "man-hour."

This shift may result from more than economic necessity or increased female employment. Attitudes are clearly changing. Several popular TV shows in recent years have revolved around a male character taking over domestic duties while the wife works. The fact that 57 percent of people said they turn to the Internet for solutions to housework problems shows that better information resources for "housework-challenged" men help considerably, too. Women readers should bookmark those Web sites as soon as possible.