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1. What is Ikigai
1. What is Ikigai
Ikigai is a concept originating from Japanese culture that refers to an individual’s sense of meaning, purpose, and motivation in life.
Ikigai is a concept originating from Japanese culture that refers to an individual’s sense of meaning, purpose, and motivation in life.
It extends beyond happiness or life satisfaction and reflects a broader, subjective experience shaped by personal values, daily activities, and social relationships.
It extends beyond happiness or life satisfaction and reflects a broader, subjective experience shaped by personal values, daily activities, and social relationships.
Unlike the Western concept of “purpose in life,” Ikigai often includes small, everyday sources of meaning as well as long-term life goals.
Unlike the Western concept of “purpose in life,” Ikigai often includes small, everyday sources of meaning as well as long-term life goals.
While Ikigai shares some similarities with subjective well-being (SWB), it differs in important ways: it overlaps with SWB in reflecting personal feelings about present life, but is broader in scope, encompassing future orientation and social relationships, and emphasizing positive psychological functioning (Imai et al., 2009).
While Ikigai shares some similarities with subjective well-being (SWB), it differs in important ways: it overlaps with SWB in reflecting personal feelings about present life, but is broader in scope, encompassing future orientation and social relationships, and emphasizing positive psychological functioning (Imai et al., 2009).
For a detailed explanation of the conceptual background, see Conceptual Background & Scale Development.
For a detailed explanation of the conceptual background, see Conceptual Background & Scale Development.
2. Characteristics of Ikigai
2. Characteristics of Ikigai
Ikigai has several key characteristics:
Ikigai has several key characteristics:
- It is subjective and varies across individuals
- It can be found in everyday life and in ordinary activities
- It is closely related to social relationships and connections with others
- It changes over time in response to age and life circumstances
- It is not necessarily associated with financial rewards and is often experienced when individuals feel they are contributing to others or society
- It is independent of moral judgments (e.g., good or bad) and is based on an individual’s own sense of meaning
3. What is Ikigai-9
3. What is Ikigai-9
Ikigai-9 is a brief, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 9 items designed to assess subjective Ikigai.
Ikigai-9 is a brief, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 9 items designed to assess subjective Ikigai.
It was developed in Japan as a practical tool for research on well-being, aging, and social participation.
It was developed in Japan as a practical tool for research on well-being, aging, and social participation.
The scale captures multiple dimensions of Ikigai in a concise and easy-to-use format, making it suitable for both research and applied settings.
The scale captures multiple dimensions of Ikigai in a concise and easy-to-use format, making it suitable for both research and applied settings.
4. Structure of the Scale
4. Structure of the Scale
The Ikigai-9 consists of three conceptual components:
The Ikigai-9 consists of three conceptual components:
- Ikigai (Present; positive and optimistic feelings toward one’s current life)
- Ikigai (Future; positive and proactive attitudes toward the future)
- Ikigai (Social; a positive sense of meaning in one’s existence within social relationships)
Together, these components reflect how individuals experience meaning in life across present, future, and social dimensions.
Together, these components reflect how individuals experience meaning in life across present, future, and social dimensions.
They can also be interpreted as representing present life and emotional experiences, future-oriented attitudes, and social meaning and self-recognition.
They can also be interpreted as representing present life and emotional experiences, future-oriented attitudes, and social meaning and self-recognition.
5. Reliability and Validity
5. Reliability and Validity
Ikigai-9 has demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .87) and a three-factor structure in a study of 428 community-dwelling older adults in Japan (Imai et al., 2012).
Ikigai-9 has demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .87) and a three-factor structure in a study of 428 community-dwelling older adults in Japan (Imai et al., 2012).
It has been validated in peer-reviewed studies.
It has been validated in peer-reviewed studies.
The scale has also been used in international research, including cross-cultural studies.
The scale has also been used in international research, including cross-cultural studies.
6. Conceptual Notes
6. Conceptual Notes
Ikigai is a culturally embedded concept.
Ikigai is a culturally embedded concept.
Careful interpretation is required when applying the scale in different cultural contexts.
Careful interpretation is required when applying the scale in different cultural contexts.
Researchers are encouraged to consider linguistic and cultural adaptation when using Ikigai-9 outside Japan.
Researchers are encouraged to consider linguistic and cultural adaptation when using Ikigai-9 outside Japan.
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© 2026 Tadanori Imai, Kitasato University
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