Written by Chris Tucker
In the United States, retirement is often viewed as the ultimate goal—a time to relax, enjoy life, and finally stop working.
However, in Japan, there is no equivalent word for retirement. Instead, the Japanese embrace the concept of “Ikigai,” which means finding one’s life purpose and fulfillment in all aspects of life. Let’s explore why the Japanese approach may offer a more meaningful and fulfilling perspective on aging and purpose.
Embracing Purpose Over Leisure
In the US, retirement is often associated with leisure, relaxation, and disengagement from work. According to the 2023 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 75% of retirees describe their retirement lifestyle as one filled with leisure activities and relaxation.
Contrastingly, in Japan, approximately 60% of retirees engage in some form of paid work or volunteer activities, according to a survey by the Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training as of 2022. This reflects a cultural emphasis on staying active and contributing to society post-retirement.
Maintaining Mental and Emotional Well-being
Research has shown that staying engaged, active, and connected to a sense of purpose can have numerous benefits for mental and emotional well-being in later life. A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health found that older adults who participated in meaningful activities experienced a 30% lower risk of developing depression and reported higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional well-being compared to those who were less engaged. The Japanese focus on “Ikigai” encourages individuals to stay active, pursue their passions, and contribute to society, leading to increased happiness and life satisfaction.
Redefining Aging and Productivity
In the US, aging is often seen as a time of decline and disengagement from the workforce. However, the Japanese approach to “Ikigai” challenges this notion by valuing the wisdom, experience, and contributions of older adults. By redefining aging as a time of continued growth, learning, and productivity, individuals can lead more fulfilling and purposeful lives in their later years.
As we reconsider the concept of retirement in the United States, perhaps we can learn valuable lessons from the Japanese philosophy of “Ikigai.” By embracing purpose, passion, and connections to others, we can lead more meaningful and fulfilling lives well into our later years. Let’s shift our focus from simply retiring to finding our “Ikigai” and living a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Purpose-Driven Franchising
As we consider retirement, an alternative approach is to transition into a semi-absentee or absentee business, working fewer hours each week. Franchising offers various ownership models that allow you to work 15 hours per week or less. It’s crucial to choose franchise concepts that align with your skills and interests and those that are purpose-driven, creating more than just profit. There are dozens of these across different categories, including B2B, home services, retail, and senior care.
Inspiration
Want to learn more about “Ikigai”? Consider the book: *“Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life”* by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles (available on Amazon).
About Chris Tucker
Chris lives on Long Island, NY and is a franchise development agent with Quantum Franchise Group. Through his own franchise ownership experiences, Chris has learned the right way, and the wrong way, to pursue business ownership. As a franchise development professional, graduate of Franchise Training Institute, and member of the Franchise Brokers Association with Federal Trade Commission sales compliance certification, he is well-equipped to provide exceptional guidance as you explore franchise ownership.