What would you like to pass on to future generations?
Amid the alarming concern of global warming, it becomes imperative to contemplate sustainable practices aimed at safeguarding nature for future generations. This could be achieved by adopting Sustainable Development Goals, particularly encouraging businesses to lead the way in creating a better living environment for everyone.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Naoko Tomita about adopting Sustainable Development Goals within businesses, aiming to forge a better future for all.
Creating a better world for next generation
“One thing came to my mind: living a responsible and joyful life, imagining about what to pass to the next generation, is my ikigai. The reason I can say this is my ikigai is because not being able to live for the next generation gives me a negative feeling. If I'm not living to pass something on to the next generation, I would lose hope, and wouldn't know what purpose to live for now.
So even if I enjoy waku waku in daily life, I would feel a certain sense of worthlessness. Therefore, maybe I thought that this is my ikigai. And my ikigai is the desire to hand over a better world to the next generation.” - Naoko TomitaPodcast Highlights
- Helping with Kouji Miki's Zen school. Naoko shares the work that she does with Kouji Miki.
- Willwind. Naoko talks about her company and the meaning and message behind it.
- The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Naoko shares how her work ties up to SDG.
- Willwind’s sustainable development goals. Naoko shares the sustainable goals she is focused on achieving with Willwind.
- Undergoing personal transformation. Naoko shares her transition from being an office worker to establishing her own company.
- Waku waku. Naoko explains what waku waku is.
- Providing workshops. Naoko talks about the workshops that she facilitates.
- Naoko’s ikigai. Naoko shares what her ikigai is.
Naoko Tomita
Naoko Tomita is a graduate of Keio University from the Faculty of Policy Studies. She has previously worked as a management consultant at Arthur Andersen. Additionally, she holds a Six Sigma Black Belt from GE and has served as a project leader at AIG (American International Group).
Currently, she is organising workshops to create a world where all life shines together ‘as it should be’ and lives abundantly on the planet**.** She is an authorised facilitator for "2030 SDGs," "SDGs Outside In," "SDGs for Rural Development," "Design Sprint," and "zenschool." Naoko currently supervises the "SDGs Corner" of Orange Page magazine and is the co-author of "SDGs Amazing Companies.
Helping with Kouji Miki's Zen school
Naoko works with Kouji Miki at his Zen school, which aims to enhance people’s mental abilities. It's a six-month course where participants endeavour to discover their worldview and determine what they truly want to pursue. This program aids individuals in uncovering waku waku (exciting) opportunities that may lead to business prospects.Willwind
Naoko owns a company called Willwind, which signifies carrying our will on the wind and passing it to the future. The company logo comprises leaves symbolising the essence of a 'rich and fertile golden land, blue ocean, and green forest,' which Naoko aims to pass on to future generations.
It's a family company founded in 2005. Willwind assists companies and individuals in understanding the significance of sustainability as per the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and generating regenerative business ideas through workshops or Zen school sessions.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Naoko's work aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing a shared blueprint for fostering peace and prosperity for both people and the planet, both now and in the future. Comprising a total of 17 goals, each with specific targets to be achieved by 2030, these objectives represent an urgent call to action for all countries, whether developed or developing, fostering a global partnership.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals include:
No poverty
Zero hunger
Good health and well-being
Quality Education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and economies
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
Life on land
Peace, justice and strong institutions
Partnership for the goals
“While 17 goals seems to be a lot, the SDGs are inherently interconnected, where the achievement of each goal influences others. So a comprehensive approach towards overall sustainable development is necessary.” - Naoko Tomita
Willwind’s sustainable development goals
Willwind aims to provide quality education and partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals—learning and creating a new future together. They offer an SDG card game, where people input the goals they want to achieve by 2030. Participants allocate money and time to pursue their goals, evaluating whether they can achieve the SDGs.
Undergoing personal transformation
Since her childhood, Naoko has always been fascinated by nature and has pondered the future of mankind. In 1993, she began her career as a consultant and project manager in Tokyo, working with several American and European companies. She took on this role to gain a broader perspective of the world and to clarify her true aspirations.
During her travels to Australia and New Zealand in December 2004, while engaging in dialogue with Mother Nature, she realised that there is no single correct answer to how the human race should live. This realisation led her to the idea that our task is to create the future we desire to inhabit. This marked a turning point in her life, prompting her to establish her small business in 2005—Willwind.
This corresponds to one of Mieko Kamiya’s ikigai needs—the desire for a bright future, an anticipation that life will evolve in a new direction.
Waku waku
Waku waku is a term that Naoko often uses; it represents the bouncing of the heart—the feeling of excitement. Currently, waku waku for her is moving to a tiny house in a rural seaside town in Japan called Tateyama. There’s no public water system there, just well water. This move is significant for Naoko, but at the same time, it's beneficial for her studies related to the SDGs. She aims to experiment with many things and make the town a regenerative community.
Providing workshops
Naoko provides workshops for companies on SDGs. This year, in collaboration with a biodiversity teacher, Naoko started work on creating a Biotope pond. A Biotope is a place where birds, insects, and microorganisms create their own ecosystem.
In essence, if we sustainably utilise water from the well and return used water to the land, similar to how a tree draws water from the ground and contributes to the soil, it fosters a cycle that revitalises the environment. This process enhances water circulation, rejuvenates the land, and supports local flora and fauna. By creating new habitats like ponds, it invites diverse bird species to the area. These activities promote biodiversity, showcasing how human actions can enrich the Earth as part of the ecological community.
Naoko’s ikigai
For Naoko, Ikigai involves living a responsible and joyful life while envisioning what she can pass onto the next generation. Not striving to leave something for future generations deprives her of hope and purpose in life. She aspires to leave a better world to the next generation.
Conclusion
Having sustainable development goals is not only beneficial for us but also for future generations, enabling them to witness the beauty of nature. It's commendable that companies like Willwind exist to promote sustainable practices for businesses. These efforts pave the way for a more responsible and environmentally conscious future.
