It has been documented that at the age of 20, Japanese women have not yet discovered the realities of the adult world. With the end of high growth in the Japanese economy, women of Japan have to face a new challenge. They frequently have to be not only a homemaker but also a breadwinner. Life course is a pathway along which people live, and life course plans are important to successfully choose occupational careers. A study analyzed and synthesized Japanese women's life course plans from essays written by 69 junior college students. A typical woman of this sample would like to marry in her 20s and combine work and home. She would also like to achieve a sense of self worth, earning her own income. Findings, however, are consistent with the notion that women have been historically identified with the domestic domain of home and family. In future research, triangulation might be beneficial for a better understanding of contemporary Japanese adult women's life course plans and aspirations. (Contains a table and 23 references.) (BT)