Arab News Japan

TOKYO: In a survey conducted by Japan’s Asahi newspaper, 26 percent of respondents said they felt no sense of purpose in living.

The survey received answers from 2,303 people and among those giving negative replies, the most common answer (311 people) given was a vague “for some reason.” Those with more specific answers included “not in good health or in poor condition” (117), followed by “children and grandchildren have grown up” (105); “never thought a purpose in life was necessary” (98); “lost interest in hobbies” (56); “experienced a major failure in life” (38); “spouse passed away” (21); and “pet died” (16).

For those giving a positive response, the most commonly given reason was “children” with 667 responses. Other positive reasons included: spouse (628 responses); travel (540); reading (536); grandchildren (488); health (392); music (373); and work (362).

When asked if it was actually necessary to have a sense of purpose, 81 percent replied yes. Reasons included: “to live the life I’ve been given (869 responses); “to feel joy in living” (437); “no particular reason” (431); and “to leave behind something for one’s children and grandchildren” (107).

Survey respondents were also invited to write in their own comments. Among those who gave a positive response to the initial question was a 72-year-old woman in Miyagi who wrote: “I feel fortunate just to have a mundane daily existence. I guess one could say that could be called a sense of purpose in life.”

A 72-year-old man in Chiba wrote: “Upon entering university, I felt it was great to be alive. I found work at a job that enabled me to acquire specialized skills and I enjoyed a productive life that allowed me to encounter a variety of people. At present, I feel my main sense of purpose are my various interests and my grandchildren.”

A 61-year-old Kyoto woman who answered in the negative said: “I may have felt a sense of purpose in life for a short time, but it didn’t last. As I get older, my enthusiasm for the things I am interested in is fading and I feel dejected by the reality that I have to admit this. When I recall the times when life was so bright and shiny, I realize how dull my current self has become.”