Focusing on 'Career Anxiety' in the 40s-50s: Former TV Executive and Business Coach Releases New Book 'Self-Axis Leadership'

Will☆Heart (Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture; Representative: Maki Hasebe) released a new book on May 22, 2026, titled 'Self-Axis Leadership: Rebuilding Your Career from Your 40s to Break Through Uncertainty,' focusing on career reconstruction for those in their 40s and 50s. In the era of the 100-year life, 'career autonomy' is increasingly demanded due to extended retirement ages, human capital management, and reskilling. However, those in their 40s and 50s often face overlapping challenges, such as increased managerial responsibilities, child-rearing, caregiving, and health concerns. Recently, the 'midlife crisis'—characterized by questions like 'Is this all there is?' or 'I've lost the meaning of my work'—has gained social attention. Author Maki Hasebe worked at a TV station for 43.5 years, holding numerous 'first female' positions, including producer, executive, and subsidiary president. Through her experience, she realized that many people are not lacking in ability, but have simply lost their 'self-axis.' The book introduces practical methods for the middle-senior generation to envision their own future, based on the idea that 'major turning points in life do not start with dramatic decisions, but with the quiet accumulation of small 0.1-step choices and habits.' The book also includes numerous self-coaching exercises, such as 'phrases for saying no' and a 'career redesign workbook for the 40s.' As the labor population declines due to the aging society, revitalizing the middle-senior generation is a critical issue for both individuals and companies. Through this book, the author aims to provide hints for 'working and living in one's own way,' helping to unlock the potential of both individuals and organizations.