FIRE
Meaning: Financial Independence, Retire Early — the movement of saving and investing aggressively to retire well before the traditional age.
The FIRE movement arrived in Japan in the late 2010s and gained massive popularity, especially through books, YouTube channels, and blogs about investing in index funds. Japanese FIRE enthusiasts often calculate their 'FIRE number' (the amount needed to live off investment returns). Variations include サイドFIRE (semi-retirement with part-time work) and バリスタFIRE (working a low-stress job for benefits). Given Japan's low wages and high living costs, many Japanese FIRE practitioners aim for more modest targets than their American counterparts.
Examples
- FIREを目指して毎月の投資額を増やしてる。 我正在为了实现FIRE而增加每月的投资额。Estoy aumentando mi inversión mensual con el objetivo de lograr el FIRE.FIRE를 목표로 매달 투자 금액을 늘리고 있어.
- 完全FIREじゃなくてサイドFIREが現実的かなって思う。 比起完全FIRE,我觉得半退休式的Side FIRE更现实。Creo que el semi-FIRE (サイドFIRE) es más realista que el FIRE completo.완전 FIRE가 아니라 사이드 FIRE가 현실적이지 않을까 생각해.
- FIRE達成したけど、暇すぎて結局働き始めたって人もいるよね。 也有人实现了FIRE之后,因为太闲最后又开始工作了呢。Hay gente que logró el FIRE pero se aburría tanto que acabó volviendo a trabajar.FIRE 달성했는데 너무 심심해서 결국 다시 일하기 시작했다는 사람도 있잖아.
Pronunciation
/ɸa.i.a/
Usage Guide
Context: finance, lifestyle, social media, casual conversation
Tone: aspirational, sometimes envious
✓ Do Say
- FIRE目指して積立NISAとiDeCo満額入れてる。 (I'm maxing out NISA and iDeCo aiming for FIRE.)我为了实现FIRE,积立NISA和iDeCo都在满额投入。(为了实现FIRE,我正在把NISA和iDeCo都投满。)Estoy metiendo el máximo en NISA y iDeCo con la mira puesta en el FIRE.FIRE를 목표로 적립식 NISA랑 iDeCo 한도까지 넣고 있어. (FIRE를 목표로 NISA와 iDeCo에 최대한 넣고 있어.)
- サイドFIREくらいなら40代でいけそうじゃない? (Semi-FIRE seems achievable by your 40s, don't you think?)如果是Side FIRE的话,四十多岁应该能实现吧?(半退休式的FIRE,到四十多岁应该可以实现吧?)¿No crees que un semi-FIRE sería alcanzable a los cuarenta y tantos?사이드 FIRE 정도라면 40대에 가능하지 않을까? (반은퇴 정도라면 40대에 달성할 수 있을 것 같지 않아?)
✗ Don't Say
- 低収入の人に「FIRE目指せば?」は無神経 (Telling someone with a low income to 'just aim for FIRE' is insensitive)对低收入的人说'你也去追求FIRE吧'是很不体贴的(对收入不高的人说'去追求FIRE吧'是很麻木不仁的)Decirle a alguien con ingresos bajos «¿por qué no intentas el FIRE?» es una falta de sensibilidad저소득자에게 'FIRE를 목표로 해 봐'라고 하는 건 무신경한 말이야 (소득이 적은 사람에게 'FIRE를 목표로 하면 되잖아'라고 하는 건 배려 없는 행동)
Common Mistakes
- Thinking FIRE in Japan means the same target as in the US — Japanese FIRE practitioners often have more modest goals due to different cost structures and social safety nets
- Confusing FIRE with just being 解雇 (fired from a job) — completely different meaning
Origin & History
From the English acronym 'Financial Independence, Retire Early.' Originated in the US in the 2010s. Gained popularity in Japan around 2019-2020, aided by the rise of NISA (tax-advantaged investment accounts) and financial literacy content on YouTube.
Cultural Context
Era: 2019-2020 popularity in Japan
Generation: Millennials and Gen Z, especially in their 20s-30s
Social background: Middle-class workers interested in investing
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Japanese FIRE culture often revolves around index fund investing and NISA accounts.
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