17-02-2025
More older people choosing to work for social connection and survival
Japan's baby boomer generation — those born between 1947 and 1949 and who played a key role in postwar growth — are over 75 now.
With Japanese people experiencing much longer lives in retirement than before, older people's lifestyles are changing. Some seek fulfillment through work, while others are reevaluating their relationships with their partners.
Changes are also taking place with their choice of housing, burials and end-of-life planning. Those living in the Reiwa Era (2019-present) are exploring ways to navigate the later stages of their lives.
Digital-savvy
Hiromi Higo, a 65-year-old YouTuber from the city of Fukuoka, is one such resident who has started a new chapter in life, offering tips for older people like her on how to enjoy life after retirement.
In a video clip released in early December on her YouTube channel, 'Higo no Kurashi' (Higo's life), she introduced her first solo trip to an
onsen
hot spring resort with the subtitle, 'luxurious healing time.'
"The hot water was rather soft and made for a pleasant bath," she said in the video in a soothing voice, dressed in a green Japanese-style robe.
"I cooled off after my bath in the rest area," she said in the next scene, lying down on a tatami mat. She then moved to the dining hall. "The staff recommended pasta as a favorite among women, but I ordered a
tonkatsu
(pork cutlet) set meal instead."
"I hope older people living alone like myself can find inspiration and excitement for life," Higo said, explaining the concept behind her channel.
Higo retired at 60 after a 38-year career as a teacher. While supporting herself with a pension and through private tutoring, she decided to earn additional income in case she became physically unable to work. With advice from a business school instructor, she made her debut as a YouTuber at 64.
It has been 30 years since the launch of Windows 95, which contributed to the spread of the internet. Digital-savvy older people are now common, with 60% of people in their 60s and 50% of those in their 70s using YouTube in one way or another, according to a January 2024 survey by NTT Docomo's research arm.
Higo's first video, titled "Living alone in your 60s: 100 regrets and their solutions," garnered 110,000 views soon after its launch. Her second, "Things I let go of in socializing," reached 490,000 views.
Her videos cover a wide range of topics, including lifestyle, travel, study methods and fashion. She has uploaded over 40 videos at a pace of one per week, earning about ¥20,000 to ¥30,000 per month. "I'm earning money while having fun — how great is that?" she said with a smile.
According to the Cabinet Office, the number of people age 65 or older living alone was 6.72 million, or 13.2% of all households, in 2020. The figure is projected to increase to 10.84 million, or 20.6%, by 2050.
Through her YouTube channel, Hiromi Higo highlights how to enjoy life for older people living alone like herself.
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Nishinippon Shimbun
Higo said one reason she started her YouTube channel was a strong sense of fear that she might be isolated from society. Comments posted on her videos include: 'I want to follow your example' and 'I feel the same' — words that give her some reassurance. 'I feel that I'm not alone and that I am able to help others,' she said.
Staying connected to society seems to be giving older people purpose in life. According to a 2021 Cabinet Office survey, nearly half of men and women in the 70-74 age group stated that they "do not consider themselves elderly."
Record-high working elderly
Since 1947, the average lifespan of Japanese people has increased by over 30 years. As of 2023, the average life expectancy was 81.09 for men and 87.14 for women. The idea of a 'leisurely retirement' is now fading, and more older residents are choosing to stay active in the workforce.
One such individual is Toshikazu Shiba, 71, from Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture. He works full-time at Eucas, a Kurume-based sofa manufacturing company where nearly 30% of the 58 employees are age 65 or older.
Born in Miyazaki Prefecture, Shiba moved to Nagoya after graduating from junior high school to work at an auto parts factory in a mass hiring. After five years, he switched career through a relative's reference to become a furniture craftsman — a job he continued until his retirement at 65.
After just a couple of months, however, he became restless. "Staying home was boring. Working is much more fun," Shiba said. He started looking for a new job and eventually found a position at Eucas.
Now, he is responsible for making sofa legs and packaging. He lives with his wife and mother-in-law, as his two grown children have moved out. Without having particular hobbies, he plans to work as long as he can. "Dinner and drinks taste best after a good day's work," he said.
About 60 years ago, Japan hailed junior high school graduates as "golden eggs," or an imperative workforce to support the postwar economic growth that led the nation to become the world's No. 2 economy. For many in that generation, working remains the meaning of life itself.
As of 2023, the number of people in the workforce age 65 or older was a record-high 9.14 million, according to the internal affairs ministry. Those who were working accounted for 50% of all people between the ages of 65 to 69, and 30% in the age group of 70 to 74.
During a job seminar for senior citizens held by Fukuoka Prefecture in mid-November, 13 entities, including operators of supermarkets and nursing care facilities, offered employment opportunities for older people.
'More than 80% of our staff are in your generation,' a representative from one of the operators said. 'The average age of our workers is 65,' said another.
A 66-year-old man, who had retired from a construction company after working there for 43 years, attended the seminar in hopes of finding a new job. 'I'm still in good health, and if I don't work, my daily routine will fall apart," he said.
People attend a job seminar for older workers held by Fukuoka Prefecture in the city of Fukuoka in November.
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Nishinippon Shimbun
With Japan's labor force declining, older people are seen as a valuable workforce. An October 2024 survey by Teikoku Databank found that over 50% of companies faced a shortage of full-time employees.
'Older workers are experienced, reliable and have good common sense,' one of the employers said, stressing high demand for such workers. 'They are helpful, as they take on early morning shifts."
Working for survival
In 2019, a report from the Financial Services Agency suggested that older people might need ¥20 million in savings for a 30-year life in retirement. Though the report was later withdrawn following public backlash, the figure came as a shock to many.
In a declining economy, a significant number of older people have no choice but to work to make ends meet.
A 2023 government study found that retired couples received a combined ¥210,000 in pension benefits per month on average, while their monthly expenses came to an average ¥250,000. Rising prices amid the weak yen are hitting their shortfalls even harder.
One 68-year-old man from the city of Fukuoka began job hunting in November. After retiring from a construction company at 65, he started a real estate business but it failed to take off. The combined pension benefits he and his wife receive are about ¥200,000 per month. Although he does not have loan repayments, rising food and medical expenses, as well as tax and car maintenance costs are making his finances tight.
"I'm short of money. I need to make at least ¥150,000 per month,' he says. Having just submitted applications for a clerical accounting job and an apartment manager position, he is hoping for good news soon. As for money to spend on his hobbies or leisure, he says, 'No, nothing. Not at all.'
This section features topics and issues from the Kyushu region covered by the Nishinippon Shimbun, the largest daily newspaper in Kyushu. The original articles were published Jan. 1.
