Making life ‘worth living everyday’ is something every single one of us on the planet deserves – yet so many of us often feel stuck, helpless or empty navigating the relentless daily barrage of both external stimuli and internal thoughts and struggle to truly embrace the daily roller-coaster of emotions. Ikigai365 takes a centuries-old Japanese concept to try and help humankind ‘make life worth living everyday’ no matter where you find yourself today. The book aims to transport you to Japan and feel like you are meeting all our inspiring real-life heroes from all walks of life and the wide variety of their stories ranging from ‘Net Worth =/ Self Worth’ to ‘Caring is the Ultimate form of Giving’ or ‘ReWire Don’t Retire’ to ‘Curiosity is Ageless’. We are publishing this book to help you feel inspired to take baby steps forward on your own Ikigai journeys. Our sincere hope is that over time we can all collectively evolve from the current state of HUMAN DOING to truly becoming HUMAN BEINGS.
Published: Oct/2025
EISBN:
ISBN: 9789815323061
Length: 288 Pages
Imprint: Audiobook
Published:
ISBN:
Making life ‘worth living everyday’ is something every single one of us on the planet deserves – yet so many of us often feel stuck, helpless or empty navigating the relentless daily barrage of both external stimuli and internal thoughts and struggle to truly embrace the daily roller-coaster of emotions. Ikigai365 takes a centuries-old Japanese concept to try and help humankind ‘make life worth living everyday’ no matter where you find yourself today. The book aims to transport you to Japan and feel like you are meeting all our inspiring real-life heroes from all walks of life and the wide variety of their stories ranging from ‘Net Worth =/ Self Worth’ to ‘Caring is the Ultimate form of Giving’ or ‘ReWire Don’t Retire’ to ‘Curiosity is Ageless’. We are publishing this book to help you feel inspired to take baby steps forward on your own Ikigai journeys. Our sincere hope is that over time we can all collectively evolve from the current state of HUMAN DOING to truly becoming HUMAN BEINGS.
Dr. Akihiro Hasegawa is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Teikyo University, Japan, specializing in the application and study of clinical psychology since 1997. His work emphasizes the integration of practice and education, spanning clinical settings, academic research, and student training. Dr. Hasegawa has authored numerous research papers and a specialized book, contributing significantly to the field. Dr. Hasegawa's research primarily focuses on ikigai (purpose in life), which was also the topic of his Ph.D. dissertation. His clinical expertise includes brief psychotherapy, Clinical Dohsahou (motor-action therapy), and hypnosis, and he has practiced extensively in diverse areas: providing family therapy for dementia patients and their families, counseling students, and supporting abused children in group therapy. He also applies brief psychotherapy to assist individuals with psychosomatic symptoms and is involved in employee assistance programs in the industrial field. Dr. Hasegawa earned a B.A. in Psychology from Aichi Gakuin University, an M.A. in Special Education from Niigata University, and a Ph.D. in Urban Science from Tokyo Metropolitan University. His certifications include Public Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, and Hypnotist, and he is an active member of several academic societies, including the Japanese Association of Brief Psychotherapy. Born in Aichi Prefecture, Dr. Hasegawa has an avid interest in Japan's Warring States period and castles. Outside of academia, he enjoys novels, music, and film and currently resides in Tokyo with his wife and son.
Shivendu Nadkarni is a seasoned FMCG industry expert with nearly 30 years of experience across AsiaPacific, the Middle East, and Africa, excelling in business leadership and organizational transformation across diverse markets, categories, and cultures. Skilled in business strategy, operations, financial management, and multi-cultural leadership, he combines a broad perspective with hands-on expertise. Passionate about giving back, Shiv focuses on nurturing human capital to drive transformations for lasting social and economic impact. He serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at NUS Business School’s Department of Strategy & Policy and leads TenX Mezzo, offering mentorship and advisory services for Singapore-based SMEs and start-ups. He is also an Innovation Advisor at IPI Singapore, helping SMEs with transformative projects, and a Corporate Advisor for Temasek’s Nurasa. Shiv’s commitment extends to guiding individuals on their personal ‘Ikigai365’ journeys. Active in philanthropy, Shiv supports migrant workers and vulnerable communities, and volunteers at his local Community Club. Academically, he holds an MSc (Tech.) from BITS Pilani and an MBA in Strategy & Marketing from IIM Calcutta. Shiv, fluent in Japanese and three Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil & Marathi), moved to Singapore in 2009 after a decade in Japan. His wife, Bharathi, is CIDO at Suntory Beverage & Food Global, and their daughter, Naomika, is a freshman at university. Shiv enjoys travel, cricket, tennis, and learning the piano and he is also studying Mandarin.
Rajiv Bajaj currently holds the position of Chairman at Bajaj Capital, renowned as India's longstanding and trusted Financial Planning partner for multiple generations. Rajiv's early career years were dedicated to establishing the Investment Banking division at Bajaj Capital. He has been instrumental in elevating the professionalism of the company. Surprisingly, even after dedicating three decades to Investment Banking, Investment Advisory, and Financial Planning, a void persisted within him. It's like the feeling when, despite success, wealth, and fame, one yearns to do something distinct, something they are genuinely passionate about, something that fills their heart with joy. This internal contemplation led him towards a remarkable transformation as he neared the midpoint of his life. His focus shifted towards the study of human longevity and this journey took him to "Blue zones" like Loma Linda and Okinawa, where he met vibrant octogenarians and centenarians. The biggest insight he gained was their shared sense of purpose, or 'Ikigai,' which fuelled their zest for life. Rajiv is deeply passionate about disseminating an authentic understanding of Ikigai to the wider world, leading him to become an 'Ikigai Coach' and commencing coaching sessions. Rajiv holds an MBA in International Wealth Management from the University of Geneva and an Executive MBA from Carnegie Mellon. As one of India’s first 25 Certified Financial Planners (CFPTM), he also has an 'International Certificate for Financial Advisors' from CII, UK. He is passionate about financial literacy and Qi Gong and has trained with a Shaolin Monk in China in 2017.
Rati Gandhi Arora is a certified Health Coach and is dedicated to transforming how people view health and well-being. With more than ten years in corporate roles, she deeply values the balance between work and personal life. Her journey into motherhood sparked her own transformation, teaching her that self-care is essential before supporting others. The COVID19 pandemic served as a turning point, inspiring her to pursue her true passion and Ikigai. During her journey, Rati realized that self-care and emotional wellness are vital, especially for those who support others, resonating with her mantra, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’ Today, Rati empowers women entrepreneurs and professionals to prioritize self-care, create time for relaxation, and manage stress. She helps them reclaim confidence and identity amidst life’s demands, supporting them in creating a balanced, fulfilling lifestyle. In addition to coaching on Health & Wellness, Rati is an Ikigai Coach and has conducted sessions for prominent organizations in India such as EIL, IOCL, GMR, and CRPF. Rati holds degrees in Economics, Finance & Operations, and her certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York equips her to guide others toward holistic wellness. In addition to her professional pursuits, Rati treasures quality time with her son, Nihit. One of her personal Ikigai is to raise him to be one of the finest human beings on the planet. To achieve this, she invests time in parenting courses, striving to become a conscious and nurturing parent herself.
Sumathy Gajapathy’s journey from Chennai, India, to Kobe, Japan, spans over twenty-five years of cultural immersion and personal discovery. Her fluency in Japanese has helped her build close friendships and integrate with the community. Sumathy began her journey in Japan as a housewife, balancing family responsibilities while exploring her professional interests, that has taken her career in diverse directions. She has supported corporations in bridging cultural divides and promoted technology exchanges between India and Japan. Her collaborations with the Japan Tourism Board and the Japan Film Commission have encouraged Indian filmmakers to capture the beauty of Japan on screen, and her work with the Kyoto Economic Board has helped small and medium-sized businesses reach global markets. Yet, Sumathy’s greatest joy comes from connecting with people from all walks of life and listening to their stories. She believes each person’s life is shaped by their environment and their unique expériences and she finds inspiration in learning from their journeys. These interactions have fueled her fascination with Ikigai, the Japanese philosophy of finding purpose and fulfillment in everyday life. Inspired by the way Japanese people embody this philosophy, she is passionate about sharing the concept of Ikigai with others and help them see life’s beauty in small moments and to discover their own paths to a life worth living. In her personal life, Sumathy is a mother of two, treasures time spent with family and friends. She also loves discovering Japan’s hidden gems—it’s places, traditions, arts and pottery.
