Research / Publications

1. Original Publication 

The Ikigai-9 scale was originally developed and validated in the following Japanese publication:

Imai, T., Osada, H., & Nishimura, Y. (2012). The reliability and validity of a new scale for measuring the concept of ikigai (Ikigai-9). Japanese Journal of Public Health, 59(7), 433–439. (in Japanese)

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.11236/jph.59.7_433

Note: This article is written in Japanese. For an overview of the conceptual background and scale development, please see the

Conceptual Background & Scale Development.

2. International Validation Study

The three-factor structure of the Ikigai-9 scale has been replicated in an international study:

German version

Hajek, A., Imai, T., Zwar, L., & König, H.-H. (2024). Translation and validation of the German version of the Ikigai-9. Societies, 14(3), 39. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14030039

This study supports the cross-cultural applicability and structural validity of the Ikigai-9 scale, demonstrating that its core conceptual structure is robust across different cultural contexts.

3. Additional Validated Studies

Additional validated studies of the Ikigai-9 scale have been conducted in various cultural contexts:

English version

Fido, D., Kotera, Y., & Asano, K. (2020). English translation and validation of the Ikigai-9 in a UK sample. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18, 1352–1359.

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00150-w

French version

Vandroux, R., & Auzoult-Chagnault, L. (2023). Validation francophone de l’échelle Ikigai-9 [French validation of the Ikigai-9 scale]. Psychologie Française, 68(4), 503–513. 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psfr.2022.12.001

These studies provide further evidence for the validity of the Ikigai-9 scale across different populations and cultural settings.

4. Overview of Ikigai-9 Translations

The table below summarizes the progress in the development and validation of the Ikigai-9 across different language versions.

For further details on each version, please refer to the list of publications below.

Status

🟢 Published: Published in a peer-reviewed journal

🟡 Preprint: Available as a preprint (not yet peer-reviewed)

⚪ In progress: Ongoing or not yet published

Validation

✔: Validity and reliability have been examined

△: Partially examined

◇: Translated and used in surveys, but not formally validated

–: Not available

Notes

This table is based on publicly available information and communications with researchers, and will be updated as new studies become available.

Some language versions have been translated and used in surveys but have not yet undergone formal validation.

The original developer participated in the development or validation of the Japanese, German, Norwegian, and Mongolian versions.

5. References

Key References

Imai, T., Osada, H., & Nishimura, Y. (2009). The structure of ikigai concept for retirees over 60 years old: The difference between ikigai and subjective well-being. Japanese Journal of Gerontology, 31(3), 366–377. (in Japanese) https://doi.org/10.34393/rousha.31.3_366

Imai, T., Osada, H., & Nishimura, Y. (2012). The reliability and validity of a new scale for measuring the concept of ikigai (Ikigai-9). Japanese Journal of Public Health, 59(7), 433–439. (in Japanese)  https://doi.org/10.11236/jph.59.7_433

Hajek, A., Imai, T., Zwar, L., & König, H.-H. (2024). Translation and validation of the German version of the Ikigai-9. Societies, 14(3), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14030039

Fido, D., Kotera, Y., & Asano, K. (2020). English translation and validation of the Ikigai-9 in a UK sample. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 18, 1352–1359. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00150-w

Vandroux, R., & Auzoult-Chagnault, L. (2023). Validation francophone de l’échelle Ikigai-9 [French validation of the Ikigai-9 scale]. Psychologie Française, 68(4), 503–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psfr.2022.12.001

Belice, T., Yıldırım, N., Gürsoy, U., Murakami, I., Demir, İ., Yüksel, A., & Akçiçek, S. F. (2022). The Turkish version of the Ikigai-9 scale: A validity and reliability study. Research Square (preprint). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-1303957/v2

Selected Related Studies

Wilkes, J., Garip, G., Kotera, Y., & Fido, D. (2023). Can ikigai predict anxiety, depression, and well-being? International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 21, 2941–2953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-022-00764-7

Hajek, A., Sutin, A. R., Terracciano, A., Luchetti, M., Stephan, Y., Peltzer, K., & König, H.-H. (2024). Ikigai and use of preventive healthcare services in Germany. Preventive Medicine, 189, 108159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108159

Kato, Y., Kojima, A., & Hu, C. (2023). Relationships between ikigai well-being and motivation for autonomous regulation of eating and exercise for health—Included the relevance between sense of coherence and social support. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 376–387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-022-10098-2

Kato, Y., Nagano, K., Hu, C., & Furuyashiki, T. (2022). Relationship between dairy product intake and sense of coherence among middle and high school students in Japan. PLOS ONE, 17(12), e0279232. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279232

Fukuzawa, A., Katagiri, K., Harada, K., Masumoto, K., Chogahara, M., Kondo, N., & Okada, S. (2019). A longitudinal study of the moderating effects of social capital on the relationships between changes in human capital and ikigai among Japanese older adults. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 22(2), 172–182. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12353

Şimşek, O. M., Basmaci Kaya, A., Çevık, O., & Koçak, O. (2024). How is the problematic smartphone use affected by social support? A research model supported by the mediation of ikigai. Current Psychology, 43, 1102–1117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04362-1

Moilanen, M. I. M. E., Iivari, N., Arhippainen, L., & Lanamäki, A. (2025). Defining HCI-ikigai: Designing for existence and meaning in human-centered design. In Proceedings of the 28th International Academic Mindtrek Conference (pp. 326–339). https://doi.org/10.1145/3757980.3758008

This study extends the concept of ikigai into the field of human-centered design.

For a comprehensive list of publications related to the Ikigai-9, please refer to the Japanese page.

6. How to Cite

If you use the Ikigai-9 scale in your research, please cite the original publication as follows:

Imai, T., Osada, H., & Nishimura, Y. (2012). The reliability and validity of a new scale for measuring the concept of ikigai (Ikigai-9). Japanese Journal of Public Health, 59(7), 433–439. (in Japanese)

 https://doi.org/10.11236/jph.59.7_433

You may also cite relevant validation studies when appropriate.

7. Notes for Researchers

The Ikigai-9 scale is intended for research use and should be applied with appropriate methodological consideration.  

Interpretation should take into account the cultural context of Ikigai.

• Citation and Use  

Please ensure appropriate citation when using the Ikigai-9 scale.  

Use of the Ikigai-9 scale for academic research, clinical practice, and educational purposes is permitted without prior permission, provided that the original publication is appropriately cited.

• Translation and Adaptation  

Cultural and linguistic validation may be required when applying the scale in different populations.  

Some items include culturally specific expressions (e.g., “yutori,” “yutaka,” and the notion of influencing others without positive or negative connotation), which require careful consideration in translation.  

Researchers are encouraged to consult with the original developers to ensure conceptual equivalence.

• Restrictions  

The scale should not be altered without permission.  

For commercial use or modification of the scale, please contact the authors in advance.

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