In his paper, Hiroshi Nishigori defined yarigai as the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from doing meaningful work that is intrinsically motivating. When people find yarigai, work becomes more than just earning money; it becomes a source of personal growth and a way to contribute to something greater.
Work becomes a source of fulfillment
Nick: We probably should briefly touch on the meaning of yarigai. I think in English, it's often translated to mean rewarding. How would you define yarigai?
Hiroshi: In my paper, I define yarigai as a fulfillment, sense of fulfillment, satisfaction on intrinsic motivation derived from engaging in meaningful work. So it definitely relates to work. When an individual finds yarigai, work becomes more than just a meaning of living, it becomes a source of fulfillment, personal growth, a way to contribute to something other than themselves. That's what I wrote.
Nick: So very similar to ikigai. We'll probably touch on the difference a little bit later. But yeah, as I mentioned to you, I remember hearing yarigai, or the expression yarigai ga aru, ‘that's worth doing’, or ‘that's meaningful’, quite often in conversation. So it's a far more common expression than ikigai, in Japan.