Actress Ayase Haruka said she considers having no scheduled plans to be a luxury during her time off [1].
As one of Japan's most prominent public figures, Ayase's reflections on work-life balance and mental decompression offer insight into the personal lives of high-profile entertainers in a demanding industry.
In an interview released on July 3 [1], Ayase discussed how she defines a "premium" way to spend a holiday. She said that drinking tea within a relaxed timeframe, and having no subsequent appointments, allows her to feel a sense of luxury without the need to rush.
While she values stillness, Ayase noted that her downtime is not always sedentary. She said she often schedules activities starting from the early afternoon or evening, such as visiting the gym or meeting friends for tea [1]. This balance between active engagement and complete idleness allows her to recharge.
Looking ahead to the summer season, the actress expressed a desire to seek out cooler environments. She said she finds it appealing to spend time idling in areas with abundant nature, or swimming in the ocean [1].
Ayase's comments emphasize a preference for simplicity and natural surroundings over elaborate vacations. By prioritizing "empty" time, she manages the pressures of her professional career through intentional periods of inactivity [1].
“"Having no scheduled plans... is a luxury."”
Ayase's emphasis on 'unscheduled time' reflects a growing cultural trend in Japan toward 'slow living' as a countermeasure to the country's notoriously rigorous work culture. For a celebrity of her stature, publicly valuing stillness over productivity signals a shift in how success and luxury are defined, moving away from material acquisition toward the ownership of one's own time.
