幸福の定義

Defining Happiness

　Defining happiness isn't easy, is it? How would you define it?
The answer changes depending on what you value most. For me, the ultimate root of happiness is "being able to truly feel that you are alive, both in mind and body."

　However, we live in a material world. To realistically boost our level of happiness, three elements are essential:

• Having enough money to enjoy life
• Being healthy in both mind and body
• Living in a safe environment

　So, why do so many people in Japan feel like they are trapped in a "never-ending loop of unhappiness"? Data from the World Happiness Report reveals the real reason.

Japan’s Low Happiness Ranking: The Root Cause is a "Lack of a Sense of Crisis"

　In the 2026 World Happiness Report, Japan ranked 61st out of 143 countries. This ranking evaluates nations based on GDP, life expectancy, social support, social freedom, and generosity, and asks citizens to rate their own lives on a scale from 0 to 10.

　Right now, the world is in an economic downturn. In Japan, the traditional lifetime employment system has collapsed, ushering in an era of extreme economic instability. Let’s be real—the idea that "you can be happy without money" is nothing but a fairy tale. The biggest reason Japanese people can no longer feel happy clearly stems from these financial struggles. We now frequently hear the phrase "child poverty" on the news—a term that was unimaginable just a decade ago. Everyone is desperately struggling to survive today. Going forward, even tougher times are coming, potentially creating a deeply polarized society where you either have a stable job or you have nothing at all.

　Despite this grim reality, most Japanese people suffer from a "complete lack of a sense of crisis." This is exactly why unhappiness drags on.

　Let's look at a quick comparison of prices and wages overseas versus Japan:

• Massage in Thailand: Approx. 3,000 yen per hour / A bottle of Coca-Cola at a convenience store: Approx. 30 yen
• Massage in Japan: Approx. 6,000 yen per hour

　Today, a massage in Japan costs only twice as much as in Thailand. While other countries are rapidly growing wealthier and catching up, Japanese people remain stuck in the same place, completely passive, assuming that "someone or the government will eventually protect them."

If no jobs are available, why not start your own business? To break free from this cycle of unhappiness, we need the "drive to take action" and the grit to grab happiness with our own hands. Action is everything!

Reason 2: An Abnormal Obsession with "The Track" and "Titles"

　When you compare Japan with Finland, which consistently tops the world happiness rankings, the contrast is stark. Interestingly, Japan and Finland score almost identically in three major categories: GDP per capita, social support, and healthy life expectancy.

Where the real gap lies is in these three areas:

1. Freedom to make life choices (★Finland scores overwhelmingly high here)
2. Generosity
3. Perceptions of corruption

　In Finland, no one feels social pressure to say that "graduating from a top university makes you a winner" or that "working for a mega-corporation guarantees happiness." Universities don't even have rigid graduation dates; students graduate when they finish their thesis. Instead of climbing corporate ladders, they focus on "What kind of work do I want to do?" and "What brings me joy?"

　On the other hand, the reason Japanese people can't escape unhappiness is that they desperately want to walk on a "pre-made track" laid out by others, and they love to "rank and classify" everything just to feel a false sense of security.

　Whether it’s TOEFL scores, Eiken English proficiency grades, or caregiving certifications, Japanese society loves to judge a person’s worth by numbers and tiers. Still, I firmly believe "on-the-job experience" matters far more than any test score or certificate tier. As a nurse, I met so many incredible helpers and nursing assistants who didn’t hold a single formal qualification but did phenomenal work.
Being stuck in an environment where you are judged solely by your "titles" rather than your true, actual capabilities is precisely what keeps the cycle of unhappiness going.

Reason 3: A "Lack of Tolerance" and the Habit of "Labeling" Others

　In Finland, society looks upon people with warmth and support if they decide to re-enter university later in life to reinvent themselves. Even if someone has a massive gap in their resume or has changed jobs multiple times, interviewers don't weaponize it against them. They look at the reality: "What can this person contribute to society right now?"

　But what about Japan?
Japanese people absolutely love to slap labels on others and force them into rigid boxes.

　If there is even a slight blank period on a resume, society immediately doubts them, wondering, "Is this person sickly?" or "Do they have mental health issues?" If someone changes jobs in a short period, they are instantly dismissed as "lacking endurance" or "having interpersonal issues," without anyone ever bothering to look at the actual substance of who they are.

　The same goes for tattoos. Overseas, it’s largely seen as self-expression—people think, "Oh, there are all kinds of people in the world." In Japan, however, the outdated stereotype that tattoos are strictly tied to organized crime still runs deep, leading to immediate exclusion.

　This "intolerance" of a society that turns its teeth on anyone who falls off the track is toxic.
In an ideal world, if you have a gap or a career change, you should be able to explain your reasons, and others should understand. But honestly, if a company or society is so intolerant that it refuses to recognize your valid life choices, you don't need to force yourself to stay. True happiness is being in an environment that actually values you as a human being.

　I once heard about a female comedian who was rejected by every single company she applied to during her job hunt, and the only place that finally took a chance on her was Yoshimoto Kogyo (whether this story is 100% accurate or not). A society’s intolerance toward anyone who doesn't fit the mold eventually boomerangs back, creating the suffocating atmosphere that breeds our own unhappiness.

Reason 4: Forgetting the "Everyday Miracles"

　When we think of a model welfare state, Sweden often comes to mind. From elementary school through graduate school, the government fully covers tuition. Healthcare is virtually free, the pension system is rock-solid, and citizens don't have to stress about accumulating massive savings for retirement. As a result, their suicide rate is half of Japan's, making it a truly high-welfare society.

　In comparison, Japan faces rising education costs and a growing burden of medical expenses. Public pensions are shrinking, and suicide among the elderly is on the rise.

　When we are constantly bombarded by such dark news, it’s easy to fall into the illusion that we are trapped at the very bottom of misery. But is that really true?

　Japan still maintains a universal health insurance system. Even though medical costs have risen significantly from the days when patients paid only a 10% co-pay, anyone can still receive quality medical treatment here, even if they aren't wealthy.

　And above all else, being healthy is a treasure beyond measure.

　Take a moment right now to look at your hands.
If you only had one, imagine how incredibly difficult your life would be.
We have hands, feet, speech, taste, the ability to feel the breeze against our skin, and a physical body that lets us exist in this world.

　Experiencing the world with all your senses is a beautiful, magnificent thing.
Just being alive and healthy means you are already a "winner in life."

Conclusion: Breaking the Loop of Unhappiness

　The real reason our unhappiness drags on isn't just the economy or flaws in our social systems.
　It is because we are so terrified of the tracks and labels others impose that we close our eyes to the "everyday happiness" we already possess.

　You have feet to walk. You have a voice to speak.
The things we take for granted every single day are, in reality, miracles—and the highest form of happiness.

　Stop shrinking in fear of an intolerant society.
Trust your body, take charge of your life, and take action to secure your happiness!