In today’s world, which is changing rapidly and facing significant global issues, finding work that feels meaningful and living sustainably have become incredibly important. This paper takes a closer look at Ikigai, a Japanese concept that helps people discover their “reason for being,” and how it connects with the growing trend of environmentally friendly career choices. As individuals pursue careers that align with their values and commitment to the planet’s health, they are finding ways to merge fulfilment with ecological responsibility. Drawing on a narrative review of the existing literature, this study highlights how ancient cultural insights can blend with modern career paths to create sustainable, purpose-driven lives. It addresses both the opportunities available, and challenges faced when trying to match personal passions with long-lasting career options and environmental care. This paper seeks to spark discussion and offer practical ideas for building successful, fulfilling careers that positively impact the world.
BronkKCHillPLLapsleyDK, et al. (2009) Purpose, hope, and life satisfaction in three age groups. The Journal of Positive Psychology4(6): 500–510. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760903271439
3.
BrundiersKBarthMCebriánG, et al. (2021) Key competencies in sustainability in higher education—toward an agreed-upon reference framework. Sustainability Science16(1): 13–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-020-00838-2
4.
Cedefop and OECD (2015) Green Skills and Innovation for Inclusive Growth. Publications Office of the European Union.
5.
ChenPLeungJZhangY, et al. (2025) The POWER of Ikigai: optimizing life fulfillment with an integrated user simulator and adaptive hobby recommender. Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence39(28): 28915–28922. https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v39i28.35159
6.
ChenPLeungJZhangY, et al (2025) The POWER of Ikigai: optimizing life fulfillment with an integrated user simulator and adaptive hobby recommender. Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence39(28): 28915–28922. Available at:https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v39i28.35159
7.
ConsoliDMarinGMarzucchiA, et al. (2016) Do green jobs differ from non–green jobs in terms of skills and human capital?Research Policy45(5): 1046–1060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2016.02.007
de AlmeidaIRodriguesJ (2024) Ikigai and saudade, cultural meanings lived through the body. Culture & Psychology31(2): 11–13. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1354067X241263451
10.
De VosAVan der HeijdenBIJM (eds) (2015) Handbook of Research on Sustainable Careers. Edward Elgar Publishing.
11.
De VosAVan der HeijdenBIJMAkkermansJ (2020) Sustainable careers: towards a conceptual model. Journal of Vocational Behavior117: 103196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2018.06.011
12.
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. (2009). National strategy for ecologically sustainable development: Principles and framework for action (Commonwealth of Australia).
13.
DierdorffECNortonJJDrewesDW, et al. (2009) Greening of the World of Work: Implications for O*NET-SOC and New and Emerging Occupations. National Center for O*NET Development.
14.
DOL/BLS (2013a) Green Jobs Definition. United States Department of Labor (DOL)/Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
15.
DOL/BLS (2013b) Extended Technical Note on GGS Methodology and Data Collection. United States Department of Labor (DOL)/Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
16.
DuHKingRBChiP, et al. (2017) Self-esteem and subjective well-being revisited: the roles of personal, relational, and collective self-esteem. PLoS One12(8): e0183958. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183958
17.
EllerR (2016) Ikigai and higher education: a review of the literature. AU e-Journal of Interdisciplinary Research1(2): 50–53.
18.
Enquete-Kommission (1998) Konzept Nachhaltigkeit: Vom Leitbild Zur Umsetzung. Abschlußbericht der Enquete-Kommission Schutz des Menschen und der Umwelt - Ziele und Rahmenbedingungen einer nachhaltig Zukunftsverträglichen Entwicklung des 13. Deutschen Bundestages.Drucksache 13/11200. Deutscher Bundestag.
19.
Eurostat (2016) Environmental Goods and Services Sector accounts—Handbook. 2016 edition. Publications Office of the European Union.
20.
FidoDKoteraYAsanoK (2019) English translation and validation of the Ikigai-9 in a UK sample. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction18: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-019-00150-w
21.
FranklV (1959) Man’s Search for Meaning. Simon & Schuster. Fido.
22.
FrondelMHorbachJRenningsK (2007) End-of-pipe or cleaner production? An empirical comparison of environmental innovation decisions across OECD countries. Business Strategy and the Environment16(8): 571–584. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.496
23.
GarcíaHMirallesF (2017) Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. Penguin.
24.
GreenhausJHKossekEE (2014) The contemporary career: a work–home perspective. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior1(1): 361–388. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091324
25.
HallDARangunathanTTanYS, et al. (2023) Impact of defining ikigai in developing future-ready university graduates with self-leadership skills: a whole university mixed-methods study during Covid-19. Asia Pacific Journal of Education43(3): 660–691. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2023.2231645
26.
HamzaidNAUsmanJJewaratnamJ, et al. (2022) Parents involvement in young STEM learners and talent development: a pilot study. Kuala Lumpur International Conference on Biomedical Engineering243–250.
27.
Hendrawati (2017) No 主観的健康感を中心とした在宅高齢者における 健康関連指標に関する共分散構造分析. Jurnal Akuntansi (Accounting Journal)11: 27–28.
28.
HerlinaMGIskandarKDewiD (2025) From values to climate action: the impact of green self-efficacy on pro-environmental behaviour in greater Jakarta’s Higher Education Zillenials (SDG 13 view). E3S Web of Conferences601: 1–18.
29.
HerseyR (1955) Zest for Work: Industry Rediscovers the Individual. Harper.
30.
HofmannCStrietska-IlinaO (2014) Skills for Green Jobs: Gearing up Education and Training for Green Growth. Greener Skills and Jobs.
31.
HutaV (2013) Eudaimonia. In: DavidSABoniwellIAyersAC (eds) The Oxford Handbook of Happiness. Oxford University Press, pp. 201–213.
32.
ILO (2013a) Proposals for the statistical definition and measurement of green jobs: room document 5. In: Prepared for Discussion by the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians. International Labour Organization (ILO).
33.
ILO (2013b) Draft guidelines concerning a statistical definition of employment in environmental sector: appendix to the room document prepared for discussion. In: The 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians. International Labour Organization (ILO).
34.
ILO (2013c) Report I. General Report: Nineteenth International Conference of Labour Statisticians. International Labour Organization (ILO).
35.
ImaiTOsadaHNishiS (2012) The reliability and validity of a new scale for measuring the concept of Ikigai (Ikigai-9). Japanese Journal of Public Health59: 433–440.
36.
JanserM (2018) The Greening of Jobs in Germany. IAB-Discussion Paper14: 41–43.
37.
KamiyaM (1966/1980). Ikigai ni tsuite [On Ikigai]. Misuzu Shyobou.
38.
KamiyaM (2004) Ikigai Ni Tsuite: Kamiya Mieko Korekushyon [On Ikigai: A Collection from Mieko Kamiya]. Misuzu Shyobou.
39.
KampitschS (2019) Den IKAGAI der Japanischen Arbeitskultur Nach Deutschland Bringen. grin verlag.
40.
KondoTKamadaJ (2003) Construction of ‘The K-I Scale for the feeling that life is worth living among the aged’ and the definition of this feeling. Japanese Society for the Study of Social Welfare43(2): 93–101.
41.
KonoS (2017) Theorizing Linkages Between Ikigai (Life Worthiness) and Leisure Among Japanese University Students: A Mixed Methods Approach. [PhD Thesis]. University of Alberta. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3XW48B5X
42.
KonoSWalkerGJItoE, et al. (2019) Theorizing leisure’s roles in the pursuit of Ikigai (life worthiness): a mixed-methods approach. Leisure Sciences41: 237–259. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2017.1356255
Leal FilhoWShielCPaçoA, et al. (2019) Sustainable development goals and sustainability teaching at universities: falling behind or getting ahead of the pack?Journal of Cleaner Production232: 285–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.309
45.
MalikRS (2018) Educational challenges in 21st century and sustainable development. Journal of Sustainable Development Education and Research2(1): 9–20. https://doi.org/10.17509/jsder.v2i1.12266
46.
MaslowA (1968) Toward a Psychology of Being. 2nd edition. Van Nostrand.
47.
MathewsG (1996) The pursuit of a life worth living in Japan and the United States. Ethnology35(1): 51–62. https://doi.org/10.2307/3774024
MathewsG (2006) Happiness and the pursuit of a life worth living: an anthropological approach. In: NgYKHoLS (eds) Happiness and Public Policy: Theory, Case Studies and Implications. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 147–168.
50.
MillánÁGarcía-UnanueJRetamosaM (2023) Which career should I choose? Application of a pre-university vocational guidance platform based on the Ikigai methodology. International Conference on Higher Education Advances. In 9th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’23): 533–540.
PetersD (2014) Understanding green occupations from a task–based approach. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy36(2): 238–264. https://doi.org/10.1093/aepp/ppt026
53.
RyanR MHutaVDeciE L (2008) Living well: A self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia. Journal of Happiness Studies9: 139–170.
54.
ScheierMFWroschCBaumA, et al. (2006) The life engagement test: assessing purpose in life. Journal of Behavioral Medicine29(3): 291–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-005-9044-1
55.
SommersD (2013) BLS green jobs overview. Monthly Labor Review136: 3–16.
56.
ThomasIBarthMDayT (2013) Education for sustainability, graduate capabilities, professional employment: how they all connect. Australian Journal of Environmental Education29(1): 33–51. https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2013.14
57.
UlrichAJ (2023) Towards a Green Workforce: Assessing Green Job Preparation in Panamanian and Costa Rican Universities. LUP-SP.
58.
UN (2017) Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly on Work of the Statistical Commission Pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (A/RES/71/313), Annex. United Nations.
59.
UNESCO (2010) 2009 World Conference on Higher Education: The New Dynamics of Higher Education and Research for Societal Change and Development (UNESCO, Paris, 5 - 8 July 2009), Communique. UNESCO Publishers.
Van der HeijdenBIJMDe VosA (2015) Sustainable careers: introductory chapter. In: De VosAVan der HeijdenBIJM (eds) Handbook of Research on Sustainable Careers. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 1–19.
63.
VonaFMarinGConsoliD, et al. (2015) Green skills. NBER Working Papers 21116. National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).
64.
WatermanAS (1993) Two conceptions of happiness: contrasts of personal expressiveness (Eudaimonia) and hedonic enjoyment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology64(4): 678–691. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.64.4.678
YeagerDSHendersonMDPauneskuD, et al. (2014) Boring but important: a self-transcendent purpose for learning fosters academic self-regulation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology107(4): 559–580. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037637
67.
ZiescheSYampolskiyR (2020) Introducing the concept of ikigai to the ethics of AI and of human enhancements. 2020 IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality (AIVR). IEEE, 138–145. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/AIVR50618.2020.00032
