Japan: Aging Gracefully

Japan is the cynosure of medico scientific world as the gracefully aging society. As a percentage, the elderly population in Japan is high: estimates say, 25% to 33% of Japanese people are more than 65 years.

- Sunil S Chiplunkar

One fifth of Japanese is over 70 years and still employed. Overall, Japan has about 90526 people aged 100 years plus, as per 18th September 2022 press release from Govt. of Japan. The elderly Japanese are not only healthy – most are productive members of society. Hence, the curious and the scientific minded are scrutinizing every detail to understand how the Japanese are living healthily and happily for a longer period.

Eighty is the new fifty! There are three male Japanese football teams made of footballers, all over eighty years age! The oldest player Shingo is just 93 years!!! The formation of three 80+ years old footballers’ teams has created a sensation in the sporting world. So what is kicking in the favour of Japanese health and longevity?