Happiness as a by-product – the impact of civic engagement on women’s well-being in rural Japan

Abstract

In our paper, we focus on the relationship between female civic engagement and subjective well-being. Based on qualitative interviews and participant observation in a rural area in southern Japan, we illustrate three ways in which these two phenomena can be conceptually linked. Against a background of ongoing demographic decline in many parts of rural Japan, we discuss how women have been building networks to engage in their neighbourhoods and how their joint activities are closely linked to their living environments and their roles within the community. Our analysis of their activities shows that (a) making others happy, (b) acting for oneself, and (c) the process of acting with others all have a beneficial impact on subjective well-being. In this regard, our findings support relational approaches to subjective well-being. More specifically, the reciprocity of well-being within social relationships helps to explain how civic engagement leads to higher well-being in rural Japan.