Helping others without being prompted and without expecting anything in return is considered one of the purest forms of generosity. This ideal is not only essential for the world but is also remarkably scarce.
Fiji is often celebrated for the kindness of its inhabitants and a culture that values happiness and community care. These principles led Yuma Nagasaki to make Fiji his home 17 years ago. He believes that selfless helping is fundamentally ingrained in Fijian culture.
Originally from Osaka, Japan, Mr. Nagasaki serves as the general manager of Color Your Life Pte Limited, an English language school in Votualevu, Nadi, aimed at Japanese students. “After visiting 100 countries in my 20s, I found Fiji to be the best place for me to settle down,” he shared.
In addition to establishing his life in Fiji, he launched a unique educational project called the School of Santa. “Globally, Fiji is recognized for its high happiness index, and the spirit of giving and supporting one another is inherent in the community,” he explained. This sense of community is exemplified by the Fijian concept of vuvale, where one’s home is seen as a gathering place for all, promoting mutual assistance.
Conversely, Mr. Nagasaki noted that Japan, despite its advancements and conveniences that enable individual success, grapples with issues such as low self-esteem and limited social capital, resulting in a culture where seeking help can be frowned upon.
Motivated by these cultural differences and inspired by the communal spirit of Fiji, he created the School of Santa to teach the essence of giving, inspired by Santa Claus, the epitome of generosity. “This online school focuses not just on material gifts but also on helping those in need, a practice believed to enhance self-worth and strengthen social ties.”
He remarked that Fiji’s reputation as one of the happiest nations globally is largely attributed to its culture of giving. “While Fiji excels in community support, Japan’s rankings for self-esteem and social capital are comparatively lower,” he stated. Through the School of Santa, they also take students from Japan to Fiji to experience the Fijian way of assisting others firsthand.
Additionally, Mr. Nagasaki has written a book titled Fijian Happiness Theory, which has sold approximately 10,000 copies in Japan. He believes sharing the story of Fijian values can motivate individuals to adopt the spirit of giving, which can improve personal and community well-being across different cultures.
Reflecting on his personal interests, the 46-year-old enjoys playing Japanese chess, known as shogi. He mentioned that the only significant challenge he faces in Fiji is dealing with boredom on Sundays. “In Japan, weekends are vibrant, with people eager to engage in activities. Here, Sundays are more relaxed, and I often don’t see children playing outside,” he noted, expressing his feelings of dullness on Sundays.
Mr. Nagasaki reminisced about his enjoyable childhood spent mostly with his older sister and mentioned that he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Kobe University. Looking ahead, he aims to act as a bridge between Fiji and Japan.
“Fiji and Japan have their distinctions, yet some customs and cultural aspects from Fiji can benefit Japan, and vice versa. I aspire to be an ambassador between the two nations,” he said, citing Santa Claus as his role model, embodying the principle of giving without needing to ask for assistance.
His message to the younger generation of Fijians is to “never be easily satisfied with your achievements in life.”