Preface
Chapter 1 People Who Made Work the Meaning of Their Lives
Bringing 30 years of experience to the forefront, transforming into a movie guide who directly introduces films to audiences. 001 Akitoshi Yoshikawa (58 years old), Movie Guide - p.012
Working at the KidZania Tokyo children's job experience center, feeling the energy of children while using the income to fulfill four different hobbies. 002 Akiko Kuramochi (in her 60s), Career Experience Guide
A corporate warrior who realized his dream by establishing a co-living space where people, regardless of disabilities, support one another. 003 Toshiaki Kawanishi (69 years old) & Etsuko Kawanishi (66 years old), Home Care Workers
After 50, she relearned European 3D tailoring and now works as a professional seamstress in a luxury fashion store, specializing in garment alterations. 004 Hisae Yogi (in her 70s), Seamstress
Discovering a new calling after retirement, seeing the "joy on clients' faces" and deeply realizing "the feeling of contributing to society." 005 Mitsuhiro Kaji (77 years old), Gardener
Facing the reality of "having no choice" at age 50, he became a taxi driver, maintaining a high income by observing daily changes in the city. 006 Koichi Mizuto (61 years old), Taxi Driver
After early retirement, he unexpectedly experienced the loss of a family member and found solace through work, filling the void left in his heart. 007 Masanori Ikeda (66 years old), Hydraulic Equipment Factory Worker.Aiming to Work Until 80
Masanori Hiraga (64 years old), Dishwashing and Serving Staff
New Business Goal: "Providing the same personal touch as past delivery services," now delivering goods and other services to local residents.
Yuichi Ueno (62 years old), Logistics Worker
Utilizing experience from his time as a securities salesperson, he now promotes welfare services to small and medium-sized businesses.
Mitsuharu Moriyama (63 years old), Welfare Service Sales Representative
Post-retirement work contributes to the local community while also enjoying leisure, achieving a perfect balance between work and life.
Kiyoshi Murai (62 years old), Contract Employee at Kunitachi City Hall
Actively using his professional skills, he found a new job that suited his abilities just two months after seeking a career change.
Koichiro Sakabe (58 years old), IT Security System Developer
After retiring from a department store, he took on a new challenge by managing a senior housing complex.
Shin'oo Miyake (61 years old), Senior Housing Manager
Leveraging extensive experience and networks from their previous jobs, they now assist in the staffing services industry.
Makoto Matsuda (73 years old), Mun'ichi Haranoya (67 years old), and Eiji Yanagi (68 years old), Staffing Service Managers
After experiencing burnout in the manufacturing industry, he pursued his dream of becoming a mountain guide.
Masaki Kobayashi (58 years old), Mountain Guide
After early retirement, he joined a subsidiary and spent five years developing a business assisting with grant applications. He later established his own business.
Nobuyuki Adachi (63 years old), Grant Application Agent
Retired early from a large cosmetics company, she opened a home beauty and wellness salon to promote physical and mental well-being.
Noriko Kurata (60 years old), Beauty Salon Owner
After working as a flight attendant and in-flight interpreter, she learned color coordination, art, and cooking, and now runs a café.
Kimie Izawa (57 years old), Café Owner
Seeing age as an advantage rather than a disadvantage, she retired from a large trading company and became an employment consultant, helping seniors return to the workforce.
Keiko Nakazawa (64 years old), Employment Consultant
Chapter 2 Companies Where You Can Excel After 55
020 AGRIMEDIA Co., Ltd. – Farmland Revitalization Business
021 ALSOK Kanagawa Co., Ltd. – Facility Security and Protection Services
022 SF INFONET Co., Ltd. – In-Home Pharmaceutical Guidance and Medication Management
023 SG LAWSON Co., Ltd. – Delivery and Errand Services
024 OK Co., Ltd. – Retail Chain Stores
025 ORIX LIVING Co., Ltd. – Elderly Care Facilities and Senior Housing Management
026 Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Building Management and Maintenance
027 Kyowa Security Guard Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Security Services
028 QUICK GARDENING Co., Ltd. – Private Residential Gardening Services
029 KSP Co., Ltd./KSP EAST Co., Ltd./KSP WEST Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Security Services
030 Kokusai Motorcars Co., Ltd. – Passenger Transport Services
031 Kokudo Landscaping Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Landscaping Business
032 COMMUNITY CENTER Co., Ltd. – Building Management Services
033 Sankyo Frontier Co., Ltd. – Construction Industry
034 Sanwa Taxi Co., Ltd. – Taxi Services
035 CDEX Co., Ltd. – Development and Sales of Electronic Equipment
036 Shuto Expressway Toll Service Nishi-Tokyo Co., Ltd. – Highway Toll and ETC Monitoring Services
037 Shinkyo Electronics Co., Ltd. – Manufacturing and Infrastructure-Related Business
038 STACK Electronics Co., Ltd. – Electronic Components Manufacturing
039 Sudo Stone Co., Ltd. – Tombstone Retail Business
040 Seibu Hire Co., Ltd. – Passenger Transport Services
041 SECOM JASTIC Co., Ltd. – Security Services
042 7-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Retail Convenience Store Chain
043 Zennikkei Service Kanagawa Co., Ltd. – Building Security Services
044 Sonpo Insurance Research Co., Ltd. – Investigation and Claims Verification Services for Property and Life Insurance
045 Daikyo Astage Co., Ltd. – Building Management Services
046 TIMES SERVICE Co., Ltd. – Parking Lot Management Services
047 Dial Service Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Consulting Services
048 Taiyo Kenki Rental Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Rental Services
049 CLASSITE Co., Ltd. – Facility Comprehensive Management Services
050 DUSKIN Healthcare Co., Ltd. – Sanitation Management Services for Medical and Public Institutions
051 Nagatomo Co., Ltd. – Building and Community Comprehensive Management Services
052 Tokyu Community Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Real Estate Management Services
053 Tokyu Security Co., Ltd. – Security Services
054 Tokyo Tatemono Amenity Support Co., Ltd. – Building Management Services
055 TOBELLE Co., Ltd. – Garment Manufacturing, Wholesale, and Sales
056 Nikken Environmental Service Co., Ltd. – Household Cleaning Services
057 Nisshin Healthcare Foods Co., Ltd. – Catering Services for Group Meal Contracts
058 Japan Airport Techno Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Building Maintenance
059 Japan TV Work 24 Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Building Sanitation Management
060 NEXCO Toll Kanto Co., Ltd. – Highway Toll Management Services
061 Nomura Real Estate Partners Co., Ltd. – Building and Community Comprehensive Management
062 Haseko Life Co., Ltd. – Staffing Services and Building Manager Contracts
063 Hachiyo Co., Ltd. – Waveguide Manufacturing
064 Higuchi Research Institute Co., Ltd. – IT Consulting Services
065 Human Resocia Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Staffing Services
066 FamilyMart Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Retail Convenience Store Chain
067 Beny Offset Co., Ltd. – Manufacturing (Printing Industry)
068 Verification Technology Co., Ltd. – Security Services
069 Myway Plus Co., Ltd. – Power Electronics Product Manufacturing and Technology Development
070 Meister60 Co., Ltd. – Staffing Services
071 Mitsukoshi Isetan Property Design Co., Ltd. – Building Renovation Management
072 Meiko Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Building Maintenance
073 RENAI Urban Development Co., Ltd. – Building and Community Management Services
074 LEBEN Co., Ltd. – Development, Planning, and Sales of Household Goods
075 Lawson Co., Ltd. – Comprehensive Retail Convenience Store Chain
Chapter 3 Convenient and Useful Certifications to Obtain
076 Medical Affairs-related Certifications
077 Health Management Specialist (Type 1)
078 Caregiving-related Certifications
079 Building Management Director
080 Hazardous Materials Technician (Type B, Category 4)
081 Employment Consultant
082 Administrative Scrivener
083 Crane Operator
084 Building Environmental Hygiene Management Specialist (238)
085 Engineering Technician
086 Certified Public Accountant
087 Industry Consultant
088 Social Worker
089 Qualification for Social Welfare Officer Appointment
090 Social Insurance Agent
091 JSTQB Certified Tester
092 Quality Assurance Engineer (Refrigeration) (Type 3)
093 Chef (Culinary Specialist)
094 Electrical Engineering Technician (Type 1, Type 2)
095 Chief Electrical Engineer (Type 1 to Type 3)
096 Bookkeeper
097 Plumbing and Boiler Technician (Level 2)
098 Fire Safety Manager
099 Building Management Specialist
100 First-Class Land Special Wireless Communication Technician
At the age of 50, facing the reality of "no choice but to work," Mr. Hiroichi Arito became a taxi driver, observing the city's changes daily while maintaining a high annual income.
Hiroichi Arito (61 years old)
Taxi Driver
Mr. Arito previously worked as a sales manager at a printing company. At 49, in 2004, he decided to change his career and become a taxi driver.
"In my last job, I had reached the position of department head, but the responsibilities became heavier, and my working hours grew longer. I found the job increasingly tough, and my views started to differ from those of the company president. Eventually, I decided to resign. I kept looking for my next job but was unsuccessful, so I consulted my brother-in-law, a self-employed taxi driver, about joining a taxi company."
His brother-in-law recommended "Kokusai Taxi," which had a stable income, good evaluations, and a considerable number of corporate clients. Mr. Arito immediately went to the taxi company's office near his home, underwent an interview and health check, and decided to join. With the company's support, he first obtained a regular second-class passenger vehicle license and then passed the geographical tests necessary to drive in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Osaka. About a month after joining the company, he began driving a taxi.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried at all; I was indeed very nervous at first. However, I had been driving since I was young and had previous experience in customer service, so I didn’t find that aspect difficult. At that time, I had only one thought: there was no turning back; 'I had to make it work.'
Now, I'm familiar with the road conditions and enjoy my work very much. I feel this job is my true calling. I always remember to greet my passengers politely and confirm the route; after the customer gets in and states their destination, I suggest a route and confirm with them before we depart. Sometimes, even if the destination is the same, taking a different route might be quicker. Of course, if a passenger has a preferred route, I will follow their instructions. If I don’t clarify beforehand, it could lead to disputes.
Mr. Arito explains this with a very polite attitude, making him feel approachable, which is said to reflect his demeanor while working as a taxi driver. While it could be attributed to his personality, it might also stem from his previous experience in sales. He does have his own method: "When speaking to male passengers, I speak clearly and loudly; with female passengers, I speak softly and gently."
The basic work mode for taxi drivers allows for a maximum of 21 hours of work in one day (including breaks and overtime), followed by a day off. Mr. Arito took nearly a year to adapt to this work-rest pattern. However, compared to his previous job, he now spends more time with his family and is very satisfied with this lifestyle. In 2015, his annual income was around 6 million yen. Although many taxi drivers see their income decline after working for over ten years, Mr. Arito has maintained his earnings without significant drops since joining the company, and he generously shares his secrets.
"The streets in the city change rapidly; new buildings pop up like mushrooms after rain. So, I carefully observe the construction of new buildings. Once a new building is completed, I investigate which companies have moved in and how many people enter and exit at what times. By driving to those areas when there are more people, my chances of finding passengers naturally increase. Conversely, if a place where I used to pick up passengers has become less frequented due to environmental changes, I avoid driving there. Daily observation and research are crucial."
He also tries to head to the city center in the mornings and the suburbs in the evenings since traffic patterns change throughout the day. During the day, he waits for passengers in commercial areas like Marunouchi, and after 1 AM, he heads to Ginza, then Shibuya or Roppongi, looking for late-night passengers. After dropping off a passenger, he doesn’t immediately return to his familiar areas but instead circles around nearby locations that might have new customers. Mr. Arito diligently follows these strategies to minimize the idle time of his taxi. It’s said that his passenger pickup rate is about 60%, which is notably higher than the average of 50%.
The atmosphere at the taxi company is quite amicable; colleagues freely exchange information. Whenever someone knows an area with few passengers, they inform everyone, and they also share which areas are busier. In this profession, success relies on meeting passengers; even sharing information about crowded areas won’t significantly impact one's earnings.
There’s no age barrier—if you work hard, you can earn a good income; that’s the essence of this profession. In our company, there are even drivers over 70 still working. Older drivers have advantages over younger ones, like better customer service skills. As society ages, people will increasingly view the taxi driver profession as meaningful. Recently, fresh graduates have also entered this field, indicating that the status of this profession is gradually improving.
Mr. Arito plans to take the test for becoming a personal taxi driver, as he has met the qualifications: "I’ve worked for a corporate taxi company for over ten years, and for the last five years, I haven’t had any accidents or violations."
One day, I want to take the personal taxi driver test to test my abilities. Being able to plan my work freely within legal limits without anyone directing me is truly appealing. I still have a mortgage on my house, and I wish to travel and enjoy my hobbies, so as long as my health allows, I will keep striving.
