In this video, Nick Kemp dives into the cultural realities of Japan that many foreigners overlook. While the concept of ikigai is often romanticized in the West, the reality is more nuanced. Contrary to Western perceptions, ikigai isn't always about lofty ambitions—it can be something as small as a cherished hobby or the joy of caring for a pet or grandchild.
Ikigai can be something simple
Nick: It's fascinating, all these differences in culture. But what most foreigners don't know are all these problems that exist in Japan; so we have things like hikikomori, this extreme social withdrawal, we have kodokushi, lonely deaths, and now recently net refugees, these essentially homeless people living in net cafes.
So I think this points to a lack of ikigai for millions of Japanese. Here in the West, we have this romantic notion that all Japanese can easily identify their ikigai. This is not true. What I've learned from my Japanese friend, she said something quite small and humble, a hobby or pets, grandchildren.
And I did actually read or hear someone say, it may act as a coping mechanism, if it's their private little hobby, it gets them through the day, it gets them through their week. And it's certainly not something grandiose and ambitious like it is perceived in the West.