2024/12/01
values
In my previous column, I discussed the challenges faced by those in my generation (I am 61 now) who have retired (or semi-retired) from work or whose children have left home, leaving them feeling like there is no longer anything for them to do as parents. It came as no surprise that the column drew responses from readers of my generation, so I would like to write a little more about this topic.
The key question is this: “Where should I channel the time and passion I once devoted to my work and children to live out the rest of my life?” If a person can find a clear answer to this question, it will lead to a fulfilling life. And if many people in the senior generation can do so, it will likely contribute to the revitalization of society as a whole. That is the gist of what I wrote previously.
On the other hand, not finding such a purpose could lead to missing out on a vibrant and meaningful life during the extended years of old age. And if many people struggle to find it, even if medical advances are made and we achieve a long-lived society, the costs of social security will only rise, preventing our nation’s society and economy from moving in a positive direction. This may be something of an exaggeration, but it is a concern worth considering.
As human beings, we work to make a living, provide for our families, and take part in the economy, while also raising children to find joy and purpose in life. From another perspective, these activities contribute to the development of society and the economy through production and consumption—essentially, acts of social contribution. Put simply, our nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) reflects the total value generated through such production and consumption, while children represent the foundation of our society’s future.
In this context, if seniors can spend their remaining years in a way that aligns their personal desires with contributions to society, it will be beneficial for both the individual and the larger community. This is why, in our super-aging society, it is essential for seniors to carefully think about where to direct the time and energy that they previously dedicated to work and family and then act accordingly.
“Senior Marriages in the Reiwa Era: No Longer ‘Til Death Do Us Part’—Divorce Rates at an All-Time High”
The Nikkei published an article with this headline on November 7, 2024, citing data from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s Vital Statistics. The report revealed that 23.5% of divorces in 2023 were among senior couples, marking a record high for the second consecutive year. One can picture what is happening: after decades of marriage, when the purpose of working together to make a living and raise children comes to an end, they begin to question the meaning of continuing as a couple. At that point, many couples reevaluate their relationship—perhaps for the first time in decades (since marriage)—, scrutinizing their compatibility, shared values, and personal likes and dislikes. If the couple shares common values and maintains a strong connection, the likelihood of divorce is relatively low. This is because they are more likely to align on the crucial question: “Where should I channel the time and passion I once devoted to my work and children to live out the rest of my life?”
However, if that is not the case, there is no need for the couple, who have lost their common purpose (such as raising children), to stay together. Realistically, of course, financial and societal pressures may prevent them from easily divorcing, so not all such cases end in separation. Even so, the desire to divorce quietly persists, and the husband and wife essentially become cohabitants. There must be many such couples around the world.
I also do not mean to categorically condemn divorce. However, I cannot help but feel that it is profoundly important for each of us to reflect deeply on this essential question and for couples to discuss it openly.
Now, I am no expert, so I do not claim to have a definitive solution. However, if I were to offer a guess, I would say that the answer can be summed up in the keyword “community.”
For much of our lives, our primary communities are “family” and the “workplace.” But as we enter the senior stage of life, these roles diminish (or at least become less central), and we must make a conscious effort to expand our communities. This might mean your old school friends, former colleagues, parents of your children’s classmates, hobby groups, fan clubs—the list is endless. Being conscious of the existence of all these communities and finding ones that align with your values is vital. Participating in multiple communities or being part of a close-knit one will keep you active and engaged in your days. Of course, I am not saying that you have to belong to a community. If you choose to spend your time alone and find value in that, that is perfectly fine as well.
I feel that expanding one’s sphere of activity from traditional communities like the “workplace” or “family” to more diverse communities is a critical societal challenge in modern-day Japan, essential for increasing the number of seniors who can lead active and fulfilling later lives. This is the first time not only for Japan but also for the whole world to experience super-aging societies, and so far, we have yet to develop a prescription for addressing it.
Hirotaka Shimizu
Chairman and CEO
Kamakura Shinsho, Ltd.