Japan's formula for life satisfaction

Japan's formula for life satisfaction JGalione/Getty Images Japan has a huge number of craftsmen, reflecting the immense value placed on devoting your life to a single purpose The term ikigai is a succinct way to describe what gets you up in the morning – be it work, family or a well-loved hobby – much like a prosaic version of the French raison d'être. If you worked for your company, you were very strongly urged to make the company your ikigai Formed by combining “iki”, meaning “life”, and “gai”, meaning “to be worthwhile”, the term is a succinct way to describe what gets you up in the morning – be it work, family or a well-loved hobby – much like a prosaic version of the French term raison d'être. Torsakarin/Getty Images Japan’s approach to work has changed in recent years, with co-working spaces now flourishing in Tokyo “Today there’s a different Japanese world, and there’s more freedom for people to find their own ikigai in a variety of different ways,” Mathews explained. “As Japan has become poorer, it’s probably become happier and more ikigai-enhancing as a society because there are more patterns by which to live.” While the balance is by no means at an ideal level in Japan, as demonstrated by the dedicated sushi-chefs still working seven days a week and the increasing numbers retirees retraining as security guards, park officers and museum guides, it is certainly improving when it comes to opportunity.