As societies face population aging and shrinking labor forces, policies increasingly encourage older adults to remain employed beyond traditional retirement ages. In Japan, where older adults show high willingness to remain employed, legislation mandates employment opportunities up to age 65 and promotes extension to age 70, making it crucial to understand what motivates them to continue working. Drawing on Kooij et al.’s (2020) Successful Aging at Work process model, this study investigates determinants of continued work intention among older Japanese adults. We employed a mixed-methods design: (1) a qualitative Trajectory Equifinality Approach (TEA) study with individuals who worked until age 70, identifying personal and workplace trajectories that support extended employment; and (2) a web-based survey (N = 1,486; 1,096 employed, 390 non-employed, all in their late 60s) examining how health, financial condition, work values, job satisfaction, and utilization of knowledge and experience are related to intentions to continue working. Findings indicate that, beyond health and financial status, stronger intentions to continue working are associated with work values emphasizing continued self-development, higher job satisfaction, and greater opportunities to apply accumulated knowledge and experience. Moreover, the impact of knowledge and experience utilization may be partly transmitted through job satisfaction, while detailed analyses are in progress. These results provide empirical evidence to advance the literature on successful aging at work and highlight implications for policies and workplace practices that support extended working lives in aging societies.

Authors:
Hiromi Asano, Graduate Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Hiromi Asano is Professor at the Graduate Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, Japan. Her research focuses on older workers’ motivation, career development support policies, and women's career development.

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