Life Course Research of Middle and Old-Aged Persons (Part3) - Panel Study Results on Changes in Employment (1999)

Emiko Takeishi

Introduction

As introduced in Parts 1 and 2 (released in May and June)， NLI Research Institute has been conductinga panel study of middle and old-aged persons. The study follows the same participants over time，examining life events and how they impact the attitudes and behavior of individuals (and families).Two surveys were completed in 1997 and 1999， and three more are planned at two year intervals.

Parts 1 and 2 looked at changes in daily life and household finances， respectively. In Part 3， we examinethe relationship between changes in employment and attitudes toward life as participants approachretirement.

The participants - men born between 1933 and 1947 - are the salaried employees and self-employedpersons who contributed to Japan’s rise as an economic power， and who in turn were affectedby the vast economic and social changes of this era. As they face the transition to retirement life，what conditions confront them? Also， what sense of satisfaction or anxiety do they have toward dailylife at this stage of life?