Entering
Japan is the oldest country in the world.
One in four men and one in three women are aged 65 or older.
In numbers, it's over 35 million people.
This large group of older adults is emerging as the mainstream of today's society.
This situation is unprecedented in human history.
Japan pours a significant portion of its 100 trillion yen government budget into supporting the health and well-being of this mainstream group.
I wonder if this situation can continue.
But on the other hand, there is also ‘hope’ and ‘expectation’.
Of the 35 million seniors, at least half are 'young seniors'.
Also called active senior.
In particular, baby boomer retirees, known as the "Dankai Generation," are making their presence felt in Japan's super-aging society.
They are healthier than younger people, more financially secure than working adults, and are making new connections in diverse communities.
In 2007, this super-elderly 'new human' retired en masse as they turned 60.
At the time, Japanese media gave a big story about the social shock that would result from their mass departure, calling it the "2007 Problem."
Along with the socio-economic debate about the loss of talented human resources, concerns about the "retirement cliff" for young seniors and countermeasures have also been raised.
Retired men who thought their jobs were everything to the point of being called "company people" and so-called "part-time citizens" who knew the inside of their workplaces but were ignorant about where they actually lived, were showered with loving advice by the entire society, including the government, local governments, media, academia, businesses, and civic groups, as if they were consultants.
We have presented various 'retirement debut' ideas that we hope will make a soft landing in the community.
--- pp.7-8

Create your own 'hideaway' in your home.
One thing you should never do after retirement is sit around in the living room all day.
If you do that, your wife will start to abuse you and you may end up being treated like a 'big piece of trash'.
If you don't want to face such days, it's best to disappear from your wife's sight as often as possible.
To disappear from your wife's sight, you need a 'hiding place' where you can hide your body.
But the hideout doesn't necessarily have to be far away.
One way is to create your own space in your home where no one will interfere.
Let's enjoy the feeling of freedom from work life in that space.
In my own hideaway, I can lie down, put on a movie I want to watch, and crunch some snacks.
In Japan, quite a few retirees are actually remodeling their homes to create retreats after retirement, often using the rooms of their independent children.
--- pp.33-34

Break up, throw away, break up
Dansari literally means cutting off (斷) things that are not necessary in daily life, boldly throwing away (捨) unnecessary items, and parting with (離) attachment to things.
This is a concept derived from the yoga philosophy of cessation of activity, abandonment of activity, and separation of activity, which aims to let go of obsessions and achieve a state of mental peace. Author Hideko Yamashita gained great popularity by incorporating this philosophy into the daily life of cleaning and organizing.
Dansari received a lot of social attention as it gained strong sympathy from the Dankai generation, who were facing mass retirement at the time.
The essence of Dansari can be summarized as 'throw away, and you will gain.'
This is not a lifestyle habit of 'subtraction' that organizes personal belongings, but a philosophy of 'addition' that allows you to gain new peace of mind by letting go of your obsession with past belongings.
This philosophy is also being used as a guide for those approaching retirement to create a fulfilling second act in life.
This is because the process of choosing which personal belongings to discard and which to keep allows you to reflect on your current life.
--- p.43

Re-employment: These people won't succeed.
The most common type of senior who is 'neglected' when it comes to re-employment is 'those with strong pride and lack of humility.'
When you get a new job, your position and other things will be lower than before, but people who are too proud have a hard time accepting this reality.
Moreover, with a stubborn personality, it is difficult to respond flexibly in situations where you have to receive instructions from juniors.
Comparing your current situation to your previous job or being obsessed with past positions or connections is a red card in the job market.
In addition, those who ‘lack understanding of roles or duties,’ ‘people whose skills and knowledge are stuck in the past,’ and ‘people in poor health’ are more likely to become seniors who are ignored.
Conversely, the most competitive types in the reemployment market are those with outstanding expertise and practical skills.
Those with extensive knowledge and experience are also considered top priority for senior recruitment.
Along with these abilities, a bright personality, overflowing energy, a sense of balance, and flexibility of thought were found to be the virtues of a 'useful senior.'
Meister 60 emphasizes that being able to quickly grasp one's role and communicate with younger managers are also key success factors in re-employment.
--- pp.76-77

6 Enemies Threatening Retirement: Unsellable Homes
The saying, "If you don't have money in your old age, you can sell your house and make some money" has long been outdated in Japan.
One of the problems that is troubling Japan, a country with an aging population, these days is the increasing number of empty houses.
The proportion of vacant homes among all households in Japan has exceeded the national average of 13%.
The total number of houses is about 60 million, so approximately 7.8 million of them are 'abandoned houses' where no one lives.
Of course, empty houses are concentrated in rural areas rather than in cities, but the problem of empty houses in downtown Tokyo has reached a point where it cannot be ignored.
Some ward offices in Tokyo are even providing subsidies to organizations that manage or demolish empty houses to try to solve the problem.
The vacant home problem is evidence that the era of real estate being used as retirement funds in Japan is over.
Real estate experts are confident that in this situation, the asset value of housing will inevitably continue to decline.
So what should we do?
The correct answer is, 'If you can sell it, it's better to sell it now.'
The explanation is that unless it is a prime piece of land in downtown Tokyo or a special zone with some expected development profits, selling it now is the best way to make a profit, even if it is disappointing.
Some forecast that Japanese housing prices will fall by 2% annually for the next 20 years.
The real estate outlook for Korean society, which is on the verge of entering a super-aging society, must also be considered from a long-term perspective.

--- pp.143-144

Start a new encounter with something you like
The argument put forward by Chizuko Ueno, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo and sociologist and expert on aging society, is quite interesting.
Just because you have a third-party connection doesn't mean you have to try to get along with your neighbors.
The beauty of urbanization is that you don't have to deal with neighbors you don't like.
It is wise to build 'purpose-specific partnerships' according to the situation.
One thing that stands out in his words is the term "purpose-based partnership," which refers to interpersonal relationships that occur in various areas of daily life after retirement.
Professor Ueno explains that purpose-specific partnerships, or third-party relationships, are “gatherings related to daily life” that he needs, such as “culture partnerships, professional group partnerships, sports partnerships, and dining partnerships.”
For example, in the case of cultural partnerships, segmenting the genre into traditional culture, opera, theater, and film, and having a professional in that field accompany the audience to provide commentary also constitutes a third-party relationship.
Professor Ueno emphasizes that when establishing such purpose-specific partnerships, care must be taken to avoid interfering with the interests of members.
Because interests are not that important in post-retirement gatherings.
The 'Third Human Relationship Theory' is an excellent 'happy retirement strategy' not only for retired men but also for single people, including women living alone.
The importance of developing connections outside of work, a third human relationship, as discussed by Japanese retirement experts, is something Korean retirees should also take note of.

--- p.175

10 Principles for Living Well and Happily Alone
Being able to respond quickly to emergencies is a key element of a successful, single-person retirement.
In the event of an accident or health emergency that occurs in everyday life, the person who can immediately help us is likely a neighbor who lives close to us.
If you get to know the people who live around your house well, you can receive more help from them than from your blood relatives when you are in trouble.
For that reason, the fourth rule to follow is to always greet your neighbors first.
In downtown apartments, even neighbors living on the same floor, let alone in the same building, often do not greet each other.
However, no one would ignore or be offended if the other person greeted them brightly first.
From now on, whenever we meet in the elevator, let's at least give a simple nod first.
A simple greeting can help bridge the gap between neighbors.
Fifth, you should use nearby shopping areas for shopping.
Let's actively use the shopping district near our house and build relationships with the people who work there.
As you shop, chat, and get closer, you can also get the added benefit of getting up-to-date information about the local community.
Sixth, you must actively participate in local events.
It takes a lot of courage to suddenly show up at a local community event one day.
But let's take the courage and jump in.
It will expand your retirement network.
Taking advantage of events like local festivals to get involved in local community activities is also a good way to get started.
--- pp.185-186

Training to build the strength to live alone
If traveling alone isn't an option, going to a cafe in an unfamiliar place you've never been to and spending some time alone, or going to an exhibition or performance alone to fully enjoy some time for yourself are all great ways to cultivate your solitude.
Of course, you can spend time alone at home, but it's not easy to seriously reflect on yourself in a familiar place.
Solitude is created when you spend time in unfamiliar places, as far away from your daily routine as possible.
Professor Hosaka says that writing an autobiography is also effective in developing the ability to live alone.
In fact, in Japan, the number of people writing their own history, that is, their own life stories, is increasing.
According to them, while writing an autobiography, they encounter aspects of themselves that they had never imagined.
This will allow you to immerse yourself in your own life, and as your attitude towards life changes, it will help you develop the ability to tolerate solitude.
Another benefit of writing an autobiography is that it gives you the opportunity to dream again about things you couldn't do or regretted while living.
If you do that, the long second half of your life that will come will turn into a time of opportunity to put it into practice.
Naturally, you will be able to look forward to the old age that will come after retirement.
--- pp.204-205

Things you must do in your 60s so you won't regret it
Don't forget the joy of being a man or a woman: It is said that people who are conscious of their masculinity or femininity and those who are not experience different 'depths' of joy in life.
It is also said that people who consider themselves sensual, whether male or female, live longer.
It is also important to feel the happiness that physical 'touch' brings.
Physical contact, such as being held or hugged, reduces stress and increases feelings of security.
Let's continue to create time to return to being a man and a woman while feeling this.
Invest in the future and spread love: Finally, I encourage you to invest in children and young people.
Passing on wisdom and money to talented young people is a testament to the life you have lived.
It also has the double benefit of making young friends.
Spreading love to those around you is also essential for a happy retirement.
Think of the faces of friends, acquaintances, and coworkers who have supported and helped you throughout your life.
And let us remember that my life has matured in my relationship with them.
It will be a time of gratitude.
Then be sure to express your gratitude to them.
And above all, always love yourself.

--- pp.252-253