Japan’s Lost Ikigai and the Struggles of an Aging Society
Economic Collapse and Cultural Stagnation Behind Japan’s Identity Crisis
In modern societies across developed nations—not just in Japan—there is a shared crisis: people increasingly struggle to keep pace with rapid advancements in AI, cutting-edge medical technology, and other transformative changes, losing sight of themselves and their life’s purpose. This growing disconnection from a personal “mission” is profoundly troubling, both existentially and spiritually.
The recent popularity of Ikigai (生きがい), a traditional Japanese philosophy, among Western audiences underscores just how many people today feel lost amidst such uncertainty. Yet ironically, the concept of Ikigai is virtually nonexistent in contemporary Japan itself. In fact, encountering a Japanese person who genuinely understands and lives by their Ikigai has become exceedingly rare.
Take my father, for instance. At 68 years old, he continues to actively manage his own company, working passionately each day. However, most of his peers have long retired. In Japan, retirement age was traditionally 60 but recently increased to 65. Listening to these retirees reveals that many grapple with deep existential crises.
Born during Japan’s remarkable postwar economic boom, this generation grew up during an era of unprecedented prosperity. By the time they entered the workforce, Japan was enjoying its economic golden age (1985–1997), known as the “bubble economy,” when the country’s financial might threatened even American dominance.
To those of us born around 1990–91, these stories of past prosperity feel distant, almost as though describing another nation entirely. Yet historically, Japanese society truly experienced extraordinary vitality during this period, filled with immense optimism for the future.
My father, like many of his generation, was rarely home. He dedicated himself to work from early morning until late at night. For my generation, it was common to grow up barely seeing our fathers. In essence, work was their entire Ikigai.
However, Japan’s economic miracle was not purely the result of domestic capability. Instead, it was artificially inflated by U.S. strategic interests, notably through the 1985 Plaza Accord. Some readers may recall the intense “Japan-bashing” during that period.
Ultimately, American economic strategy succeeded. Cracks appeared in Japan’s economy from around 1991, accelerating after the devastating psychological impact of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and the symbolic collapse of Yamaichi Securities in 1997. These events decisively ended the bubble economy, plunging Japan into a period of economic stagnation and psychological exhaustion that continues to this day.
Critically, the generation who thrived during the bubble era mistakenly believed their prosperity was purely due to their own strength, overlooking its artificially inflated nature. This led Japan to overlook significant global changes occurring simultaneously, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, the reunification of Germany, and the dawn of globalization driven by U.S. influence. The release of Windows 95 symbolically marked the beginning of a new era, but Japan dismissed these transformations as temporary trends, leading to a national withdrawal, now known as the “Lost 30 Years.”
This withdrawal profoundly impacted the Japanese psyche. Those who had dedicated themselves entirely to work began questioning the very purpose of their lives. Thus began a collective loss of Ikigai on a national scale. Many retirees today, unable to find new meaning, spend their days simply passing time until death. The societal damage caused by this mass disengagement cannot be overstated.
If we label them the “generation that lost Ikigai,” it becomes clear that this demographic now represents Japan’s majority population. Their exhaustion and resistance to change have significantly influenced political decisions, inadvertently crushing the potential of younger generations eager to build a different future. This, fundamentally, is the true cause behind Japan’s ongoing decline.
Recently, an intriguing trend has emerged: members of this older generation have increasingly sought my advice. Perhaps they see in me someone who still retains a clear sense of Ikigai and purpose—precisely what they have lost.
We must avoid treating Ikigai merely as a fashionable buzzword. Instead, it’s vital to revisit history to deeply understand how past generations of Japanese found genuine purpose in their lives. This issue extends far beyond Japan, representing a looming global challenge, particularly in rapidly aging European societies facing similar demographic pressures.
As the world’s first super-aged society, Japan bears a unique responsibility to lead this global conversation, demonstrating how humanity can rediscover meaningful purpose and vitality amid an increasingly uncertain future.