Isomi Suzuki believes he is one of the lucky few to be able to continue his career even after reaching age 60, the common retirement age in Japan.
Suzuki, 60, joined the Matsuya Co. department store chain in 1962, putting in 20 years in kimono sales, 10 years in planning and running exhibitions, and another decade in selling tableware and eyeglasses, a section where he is continuing on as sales manager for the store in Tokyo's pricey Ginza district.
"I still have both mental and physical energy, so I am very happy to be able to carry on working after turning 60 years old," Suzuki said. But more importantly, he does not have to worry about the pension eligibility age, which is 62 for those born on or after April 2, 1943.