Ikigai, but in Japan it is probably not work

The Japanese word Ikigai is known worldwide. It translates as the reason for living, one’s purpose in life. ⁽¹⁾ Ikigai is associated with a longer life. ⁽²⁾ Please see our blog post of May 8, 2021.

Surveys ^{(3, 4)} of Japanese workers’ attitude to work indicate its relative lack of importance.

	Japan	Worldwide
Importance of work in your life	48%	72%
My job gives me a sense of purpose	38%	57%

Source: Nippon.com ⁽³⁾

72% of employees surveyed responded that they did not want to become a manager. ⁽⁴⁾ The reasons for this are shown below (multiple replies possible).

Reasons for not wanting a management position
No desire for advancement	51%
Too many additional responsibilities	50%
Increased workload	43%
Not suited to management	38%
Work is easier in current position	25%
Would ruin my work-life balance	24%
Salary would not increase proportionately	23%
Satisfied with current situation	9%
Don’t intend to stay with the company long-term	8%
Wouldn’t be able to do the work I like	7%

Source: Nippon.com ⁽⁴⁾

This has implications for household finances. Previously office workers advanced with seniority, and the gradual increase in managerial responsibilities (being accountable for the performance of more people). Incomes grew steadily with time. This facilitated family formation and retirement savings. For the 70% of people that now wish to avoid advancement, incomes are less likely to grow.

It also suggests that many of Japan’s managers under the old system were performing management roles against their desire. This was probably associated with high stress.

References:

1. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, 2016.
2. Relationship of having hobbies and a purpose in life with mortality, activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living among community-dwelling elderly adults, by Kimiko Tomioka, Norio Kurumatani, and Hiroshi Hosoi, March 5, 2016
3. Survey reveals Japanese Attitudes toward Work, Nippon.com, April 19, 2023
4. Management positions Lose their Appeal to Japanese Employees, Nippon.com, February 22, 2023