As we enter an era of 100-year lifespans, more and more people are striving to live as long and happy as possible. So, how can we achieve happiness? Japan has nearly all the necessities of life—food, clothing, and shelter—enough. Its average life expectancy is among the highest in the world. It also has a low crime rate. Compared to countries plagued by war and poverty, Japan appears to be a happy country where people can live long, safe lives. Yet, its happiness level remains low. Japan’s score for “subjective happiness” was 34th out of 37 countries. Japan always ranks low in these types of happiness surveys. It seems that happiness cannot be achieved simply by achieving economic wealth or longevity.
In fact, it is known that happiness levels change depending on the content of the happiness survey. Many of these types of surveys have questions based on Western individualistic values. In general, the concept of happiness has a subjective aspect, and its content varies depending on the region and culture. For example, in the West, living environments were centered around hunting, livestock farming, and trade. What developed from this lifestyle was the cognitive ability to analyze things. On the other hand, in East Asia, where agricultural cultures centered on rice farming Cooperation between individuals and communities is necessary. In connection with this cooperation, East Asian cultures have developed a way of thinking known as holistic cognition. When investigating an individual’s sense of happiness through a questionnaire survey, it is necessary to combine knowledge from various fields, such as cultural differences between the West and the East and lifestyles. Among these various findings, one that has attracted attention is the advances made in neuroscience.
Research results published this year by Sato Wataru’s team at the RIKEN Institute (RIKEN) attracted the attention of neuroscientists and others. They examined approximately 50 people using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine cerebral blood flow. They found that the precuneus, located between the parietal and occipital regions, is related to the level of happiness. The precuneus is characterized by high activity when people underestimate themselves or worry about the future. On the other hand, people with high levels of happiness had milder activity in the precuneus. People with milder activity in this area are less likely to fall into thoughts of worry or unhappiness, and are therefore more likely to be happy. Additionally, research from Kyoto University has reported that people who feel happier have a larger volume of the precuneus in the right brain, and that the lower their resting activity, the higher their happiness level. Neuroscience suggests that the precuneus holds clues to happiness.
Even in a wealthy society like Japan, excessive stress and anxiety can lead to a decline in happiness levels. A Catholic archbishop in Japan offered some insightful comments about the low happiness levels of Japanese people. He said, “The Japanese who come to church are all weak people. Strong people don’t come.” On the other hand, religious people are less likely to panic about death and more easily reach a state of peace and resignation. It seems that even strong-minded Japanese people can sometimes be shaken by excessive stress. This wavering may reveal the factors behind the decline in happiness among Japanese people. I hope that we can combine the power of science to uncover these factors and create a system to increase happiness.
