Unit 5: Factors That Impact the Quality of Life

Quality of Life (生活の質／QOL)

A person’s overall sense of well-being, security, and satisfaction in daily life (not just money or convenience).

Multifaceted (多面的)

Having many connected dimensions; used to show QOL depends on multiple factors (health, environment, community, etc.).

Cause-and-effect (因果関係)

A logical link where one factor leads to another (A causes B, which results in C), used to make explanations more persuasive.

〜ので／〜から

Japanese connectors meaning “because/since”; used to explain reasons (cause) for an opinion or situation.

〜ため（に）

Means “because of/for the purpose of”; used for cause (“due to…”) or purpose (“in order to…”).

〜によって

Means “depending on/by means of”; expresses how outcomes change based on a factor (e.g., policy, situation).

〜おかげで

Means “thanks to”; used for a positive cause (a good reason that led to a good result).

〜せいで

Means “because of (blame)”; used for a negative cause (a reason responsible for a bad result).

〜ようにする

Means “to make an effort to / try to”; used to express a habit or deliberate intention.

〜ようになる

Means “to come to be able to / to start to”; expresses change over time or a new ability.

〜ば／〜たら

Conditional forms meaning “if/when”; used to discuss possible outcomes or advice scenarios.

〜たほうがいい

Soft advice meaning “it’s better to…”; often used with と思います to sound polite and natural.

〜べきだ

Strong advice meaning “should/ought to”; powerful but can sound too forceful if overused.

Claim (主張)

Your main point about what raises or lowers QOL; the “thesis” you argue for.

Support (根拠)

Reasons and specific examples that back up your claim (realistic details strengthen AP responses).

Compare (比較)

Explaining similarities/differences (Japan vs. your community, urban vs. rural, generations) and linking them to QOL outcomes.

Trade-off (トレードオフ)

A balanced evaluation showing benefits and costs (e.g., convenience saves time but may harm nutrition).

Convenient (便利／べんり)

Easy to use and time-saving; an evaluation word for QOL, but not the same as comfort.

Comfortable (快適／かいてき)

Physically/mentally pleasant; important for QOL (e.g., crowded trains can be convenient but not comfortable).

Peace of mind (安心／あんしん)

A subjective feeling of relief or trust (emotional security), different from objective safety.

Safety (安全／あんぜん)

Objective protection from danger (low risk); a key foundation of QOL.

Burden (負担／ふたん)

A load or strain (financial, time, caregiving, stress) that can lower QOL.

Challenge/issue (課題／かだい)

A problem area that needs improvement (used to discuss weaknesses without sounding overly absolute).

Lifestyle habits (生活習慣／せいかつしゅうかん)

Daily routines (sleep, exercise, diet) that accumulate over time and strongly affect health and QOL.

Prevention (予防／よぼう)

Preventing illness/problems before they get worse; often emphasized with checkups and screenings.

Health checkup (健康診断／けんこうしんだん)

A regular medical exam/screening; supports early detection and preventative care.

Mental health (心の健康／こころのけんこう)

Emotional and psychological well-being; affected by sleep, stress, relationships, and support systems.

Change of pace (気分転換／きぶんてんかん)

Refreshing yourself mentally (e.g., a break, hobby, nature) to reduce stress and improve QOL.

Universal health coverage (国民皆保険／こくみんかいほけん)

A system in Japan often described as making healthcare widely accessible through health insurance coverage.

Healthcare access (医療へのアクセス)

How usable healthcare really is—distance, time (waits), cost, and information—not just whether hospitals exist.

Washoku (和食／わしょく)

Traditional Japanese cuisine, known for balance, variety, seasonal foods, and appropriate portions; linked to health/long life in discussion.

Mottainai (もったいない)

A value emphasizing avoiding waste and respecting resources; often tied to environmental sustainability.

Sustainable (持続可能／じぞくかのう)

Able to continue long-term; used for lifestyles and systems that reduce waste and protect the future.

Saving electricity (節電／せつでん)

Reducing electricity use to lower environmental impact and costs; a common sustainability action.

Energy efficiency (省エネ／しょうえね)

Using less energy to get the same results; improves sustainability and can reduce household burden.

Public safety/security (治安／ちあん)

The level of safety in a community (crime risk, trust in public spaces), affecting stress and freedom of movement.

Commuting (通勤／つうきん)

Traveling to work; long commutes can reduce free time and sleep, increasing stress and lowering QOL.

Prices/cost of living (物価／ぶっか)

General price levels; high prices raise financial stress and make future planning harder.

Neighborhood association (町内会／ちょうないかい)

Local community organization involved in events, communication, and sometimes disaster preparedness and mutual support.

Disaster preparedness (防災／ぼうさい)

Preparation for disasters (training, supplies, plans); helps reduce damage and anxiety in disaster-prone areas.

Evacuation shelter (避難所／ひなんじょ)

A designated place to go during disasters; part of community-level preparedness systems.

Aging society (高齢化／こうれいか)

An increasing proportion of elderly people; can increase healthcare/care needs and strain systems, affecting QOL.

Elder care (介護／かいご)

Care for older adults; impacts family time, finances, and social services, and is a major QOL topic.

Childcare support (子育て支援／こそだてしえん)

Services/policies that help families raise children (e.g., childcare access), improving stability and reducing stress.

Digital divide (デジタル格差／かくさ)

Inequality in access to devices, internet, or digital skills; can limit education and services, shrinking opportunities.

Personal information (個人情報／こじんじょうほう)

Private data (identity, contacts, etc.); mishandling can cause trouble and anxiety, lowering QOL.

Crowded commuter train (満員電車／まんいんでんしゃ)

Extremely packed trains; highlights the difference between “convenient” and “comfortable,” and can raise stress/fatigue.

Barrier-free (バリアフリー)

Accessibility design (elevators, ramps, fewer steps) supporting independence and safety for elderly, disabled, parents, etc.

Wa—harmony (和／わ)

A cultural value emphasizing harmony and smooth relationships; linked to trust, community life, and social comfort.

Nemawashi (根回し／ねまわし)

Informal consensus-building before a decision; helps avoid conflict and maintain harmony in groups or workplaces.