Ikigai-kan is a guiding force-part7.
Beacon of hope. A bright future.
When the future unfurls its vast expanse and the beacon of hope gleams brightly before us, those who stride with their gaze fixed upon that light will come to understand that regardless of past trials and present struggles, they possess the ability to live with confidence and hope, embracing the belief that ‘everything is yet to come.’
It’s often debated which holds greater importance for a person’s IKIGAI, present happiness or future hope. Needless to say, it’s all about hope. Consequently, opting for a job offering a high salary but lacking future prospects may not be the wisest choice. From the vantage point of future potential, achieving success or fame doesn’t necessarily warrant envy.
One reason why young people often exhibit a strong IKIGAI-KAN is their freedom from the weighty burdens of the past, enabling them to channel all their energies into shaping the future and diligently working towards their goals without losing sight of their objectives.
Mieko Kamiya 1966
It’s been 58 years since Kamiya first shared her insights on IKIGAI. I hope that our young people, often referred to as the anxious generation of today, are still capable of exhibiting a strong sense of IKIGAI-KAN.
When the future unfurls its vast expanse, it’s natural for most of us to feel anxious. However, what separates those who continue to feel anxious from those who become excited about the future? My answer is, ‘knowledge’. Anxiety, by definition, involves a fear of uncertainty. So, if you take steps to make the future known and more certain, it will be less frightening. So, what do I know about the future that I can share with you today?
‘Aging society’ is our future.
Most developed countries are going to be aging, aged, or super-aging societies with more than 7% (aging), 14% (aged), or 21% (super-aging) of the population being 65 years and older. This is almost a certainty because people are living longer and having fewer children.
To get a better picture of this, I researched the population and age distributions of my home states in the US and Japan, and here’s what I found out:
Massachusetts is already an aged society with 17% of its residents, about 1.2 million people, aged 65 years and older. Shizuoka is already a super-aging society with 31%, 1.1 million being 65 or more years old. This quick research clearly shows that societal aging is occurring much faster in Japan. In a way, we Japanese provide an example of the future for many other countries and their residents. It is estimated that by the year 2065, 38.4% of Japan’s entire population will be 65 years old or older. Think about that. By then, I will be in my 90s, perhaps representing that 38.4%.
I encourage you all to do quick research and find out where your home state or county stands in terms of the aging society classification. It will give you an important perspective for planning your future role and a place in your community.
Embracing the belief that everything is yet to come.
By learning about and understanding the future of our society, we can proactively take action. So, I am currently learning about the ‘Community-based Integrated Care System (地域包括ケアシステム)’ in Japan. It is a government-backed initiative to set up a care system that enables people to continue to live their own lives in the area they are used to as much as possible until the end of their lives. Doesn’t that promise a bright future?
As I learn more about the system and implementation examples, I will share key findings with you in the future.
