The Essence of Small Joy

Date: December 27, 2023 

INTRODUCTION

In the world of Japanese cinema, films depicting the nuances of everyday life hold a special appeal. These movies have no clear beginning or end; they simply capture a moment in time, a place, a person's life, and transform it into a two-hour film. When I discovered 《新活日常》 "The Routine of Life," I immediately made time to watch it, hoping to draw inspiration from the portrayal of everyday life. 

AN ORDINARY LIFE?

The protagonist of the film, 山平先生 “Mr. Yamahira”, is a cleaner in Tokyo, whose job is to maintain public restrooms. His daily life is marked by routine: waking up before dawn, getting ready, and heading to work in his van, always accompanied by cassette tape music. He cleans the restrooms meticulously, using various DIY tools for thorough cleaning, followed by a simple lunch of a sandwich and milk in a temple garden. After work, he relaxes in a public bath, enjoys a bowl of noodles in Asakusa station’s underground street, and then reads a few pages of a book before falling asleep exhausted. What seems like an ordinary day is, in reality, his everyday life. 

THE FLAVOR OF DAILY LIFE

The script reveals small surprises and annoyances in everyday life, including: 

• A hungover person rushing in and out of the restroom; 

• Foreign tourists puzzled over how to operate the transparent walls of the restroom; 

• Finding a lost little boy in the restroom; 

• Observing the tattoos on homeless people; 

• A colleague's lateness; 

• A colleague wanting to sell the protagonist’s cherished cassette tapes; 

• A colleague's love interest being captivated by the music on the cassette tape; 

• The same girl, moved by her boyfriend's silent departure, impulsively kisses the protagonist before leaving; 

• The protagonist’s niece running away from home and ending up at his place; 

• The protagonist's sister arriving in a private car to pick up her daughter and discussing their father, revealing the protagonist's wealthy background but strained relationship with his father; 

• The protagonist enjoying a meal at a bar after doing laundry at a laundromat; 

• Meeting the bar owner's ex-husband by chance and playing shadow games by the river at night; 

• The ex-husband mentioning the bar owner being cared for by the protagonist, which he denies as she is just his fantasy lover; 

• The ever-changing weather in Tokyo. 

CALL FOR ACTION

The story of the protagonist in "The Routine of Life," finding small joys in his mundane routine, inspires us to recognize that even amidst a hectic work schedule, we can find joy in life. As corporate leaders, we have the responsibility to guide and train our staff, helping them find and create this sense of happiness in their daily work. 

Fellow leaders, let's encourage our team members to find a balance in their busy careers, emphasizing personal happiness and mental health. By creating a supportive and positive work environment, where every employee can experience a harmonious blend of work and life, we not only enhance the overall well-being of our teams but also foster the continuous growth and success of our businesses. 

Large corporations often have initiatives like "Early Friday" and "Early Birthday Celebrations." If combined with guidance on how employees can enjoy these special days, we can profoundly experience the joy brought by "The Routine of Life." These occasions teach us how to find comfort and small joys amidst our busy work lives.