Why japan folk live so long?

[ndv79]

Hi!

The official statistics say the average Japanese lifespan is 78,6 years for men and 85,6 years for women. I wonder what contributes most to the Japanese longevity? Is it food, air, or maybe lifestyle?

I'd like to hear from those who live in Japan: please, your genuine opinion, no old book stereotypes...

Thanks!

:souka:

[Glenski]

Nobody knows for sure. If memory serves, the Okinawans have the longest lifespan in Japan, and you have to remember that they are not original Japanese, so people have to be careful when they use terms like lifestyle or culture. Not all Japanese have the same lifestyle, too.

[undrentide]

Avarage lifetime by to/dou/fu/ken (prefecture)
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/topics/bukyoku/rouken/tdfk-d/life.html
http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/honkawa/7248.html
(Both data from year 2000)

Male (Top 5)
Nagano: 78.90
Fukui: 78.55
Nara: 78.36
Kumamoto: 78.29
Kanagawa: 78.24
----
Japan: 77.71

Female (Top 5)
Okinawa: 86.01
Fukui: 85.39
Nagano: 85.31
Kumamoto: 85.30
Shimane: 85.30
----
Japan: 84.62

Average female lifetime is the longest Okinawa but there is not much difference from other prefectures (besides males living in Okinawa is No.26).
There should be several factors for long lifetime in Japan (compared with other countries), I guess it is partly because of the diet (food we eat everyday) and medical insurance system.
Recent years there are a lot of changes in our daily food, though, and we often joke that in the near future the average Japanese liftime would become drastically short.

[Taiko666]

Western style over-consumption of meat and dairy products will soon lower the life-expectancy in Japan.

I guess it is partly because of the diet (food we eat everyday)

You mean used to eat every day! Yes, I believe that it the most important factor.

and medical insurance system.

I like preventive medicine in Japan (eg the ningen dock.) What percentage of the population actually has a ningen dock style check-up each year?

Apart from that wouldn't say that Japan's health insurance was better/different than any other developed country.

[undrentide]

Western style over-consumption of meat and dairy products will soon lower the life-expectancy in Japan.
You mean used to eat every day! Yes, I believe that it the most important factor.
Yes. (And you can see it from the last two lines of my previous sentence.)
The people who are enjoying the long life in Japan now are those who had been (am not sure if they still are) taking traditional Japanese food, simple but healthy meals.

I like preventive medicine in Japan (eg the ningen dock.) What percentage of the population actually has a ningen dock style check-up each year?

Apart from that wouldn't say that Japan's health insurance was better/different than any other developed country.

Well I don't know other countries system and I did not/would not say Japan is better but at least almost all the Japanese people are under health insurance (kokumin hoken or kenkou kumiai hoken of the work place) and one can get medical treatment at hospitals/clinics without worrying too much about the cost when they need it. That should be helpful to keep one's health especially at old age.

As for the medical chek-up, it might depend on the area, the ward (within Tokyo) where I'm currently living is offering the free annual medical check up to elderly people. My father got the notice and went to the local hospitals/doctors to get it, which involves check-ups in many fields (including ophthalmology). I appreciate this system.

[pipokun]

When you describe the present Japanese diet as "over-consumption", I am just wondering what are the proper words for European/North American people in English. Overer/overest consumption? How soon would they be extinct?

When you brought up with fish/seaweed-based broth (dashi) J diet, the magical taste conversion from meat to fish happens when you get older (no matter how much Bic/Mega mac lover you are when young).

All humans show their cravings for oily, sweet and umami foods. The fish broth contains much umami, but less oily, so it curbs unnecessary calorie intake compared with other meat broth culture. I cannot imagine the situation where I would eat oily fish and chips in my 60s or older.

The fish broth itself taste nice and goes well with many foods, even with Indian curry, but unfortunately or fortunately it smell fishy. So it is natural that some people dislike the aroma. It is an acquired nature that many Japanese believe fishy is yum.

[ndv79]

Now, as I understand, fish/seaweed-based food is good for you and it dominates the Japanese cookery. Speaking of longevity, I wonder does it matter only WHAT Japanese eat or also HOW do they cook? I mean, I like fish. But I fry or bake it, usually. I've heard that they do not fry fish in Japan (it might be a misconception though).

The question is, is fried/baked fish as good for your health as fresh or otherwise cooked fish?

[Zirdante]

Sipping tea and listening to a shishiotoshi (http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=nylpw8E4y-k) is their secret.

[Chipi]

I also reckon it's the food/nutrition, but also their attitude in daily life. The positivity, politeness etc.

My fiancee's(=Japanese) great-great-grandmother is 103 years old, and still extremely cheerful, witty, lively and happy person. Absolutely charming. She says her secret is this: "Always to remember to say thank you and forgive me"

[grapefruit]

Now, as I understand, fish/seaweed-based food is good for you and it dominates the Japanese cookery. Speaking of longevity, I wonder does it matter only WHAT Japanese eat or also HOW do they cook? I mean, I like fish. But I fry or bake it, usually. I've heard that they do not fry fish in Japan (it might be a misconception though).
The question is, is fried/baked fish as good for your health as fresh or otherwise cooked fish?

Many websites focused on healthy ways of cooking recommend to stay away from frying, particularly deep-fry. A simple google search like "healthy cooking" will list tons of websites offering cooking directions.

[ec_nana]

Food's the answer. Cant get wrong with that.

[Taiko666]

Well I don't know other countries system and I did not/would not say Japan is better but at least almost all the Japanese people are under health insurance (kokumin hoken or kenkou kumiai hoken of the work place) and one can get medical treatment at hospitals/clinics without worrying too much about the cost when they need it. That should be helpful to keep one's health especially at old age.

Fair enough! However, in the UK, everyone (absolutely everyone, even if you're a non-UK national visiting the UK for only one day...) is entitled to completely free health care. However, the life expectancy isn't particularly high, and I put that down to lack of preventative medicine.

[Taiko666]

When you describe the present Japanese diet as "over-consumption", I am just wondering what are the proper words for European/North American people in English. Overer/overest consumption? How soon would they be extinct?

Japan is meat-crazy. Have a look in your local combini or coffee shop and try to find meals that don't contain meat. Even the 'bean-salad' sandwich at my local Tully's contains pork. I think the Japanese are eating far more meat than they'd care to admit.

[butakun]

Fair enough! However, in the UK, everyone (absolutely everyone, even if you're a non-UK national visiting the UK for only one day...) is entitled to completely free health care.

I find it hard to believe. Are you sure NHS provides coverage to non-EU citizens who are not UK resident, i.e. tourists, free of charge?

[Taiko666]

I find it hard to believe. Are you sure NHS provides coverage to non-EU citizens who are not UK resident, i.e. tourists, free of charge?

Yes, 100% sure. All medical care provided by the NHS is free to anybody who needs it. (There are some small fees for routine eye and dental checks, but that's it.)

EDIT:

Non-resident, non-EU nationals (ie non-EU tourists) are only entitled to free emergency care. See this article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2003/dec/31/nhs2000.politics) about how the UK is trying to reduce abuse of the system.

[Chirpy9]

Japan is meat-crazy. Have a look in your local combini or coffee shop and try to find meals that don't contain meat. Even the 'bean-salad' sandwich at my local Tully's contains pork. I think the Japanese are eating far more meat than they'd care to admit.

I too think it's the food that makes Japanese live for so long.

[pipokun]

Consumption of 10 Major Animal Foods (2001-2003)
Dietary Energy Consumption
(kcal/person/day)

Pigmeat/Poultry/Bovine/Eggs/Animal fats (raw)/Mutton & Goat meat

Japan: 83 53 27 76 13 1
UK: 245 106 58 44 76 39
World: 117 46 40 33 32 11
http://www.fao.org/statistics/yearbook/vol_1_1/site_en.asp?page=consumption

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/9/90/Teisyokurei.jpg
This is what we call teishoku-style dish.
Many Japanese people may still (hopefully) describe the photo as...
the main dish is rice; and
the stir-fried meat and pickles are okazu (side dishes).

Correct me if I am wrong, but I suppose English speakers may call the main dish is the meat and rice is rice. It may simply be a linguistic difference, but rice as the staple food is other major factor.


Eating rice has never given me indigestion.
Winston Churchiru

*snip
Tokis-Phoenix, I am sorry that I forgot saying we consume eggs more than Britons. I admit that we are unethical chicken egg killers, but it is a good business chance for your ethically prepared eggs here.

[bammbamm&pebbles]

If memory serves,the Okinawans have the longest lifespan in Japan, and you have to remember that they are not original Japanese.






I didn't know those Okinawa natives have high ranking in longevity.

[Taiko666]

Tokis-Phoenix, I am sorry that I forgot saying we consume eggs more than Britons. I admit that we are unethical chicken egg killers, but it is a good business chance for your ethically prepared eggs here.

Passing fads aside, I doubt there will ever be any business opportunities for ethical farming in Japan, or any part of SE Asia.

[pipokun]

Japan is egg crazy, but I don't know how to describe people, such as Britons, consuming meat much more than Japanese.

Pork/Poultry/Bovine/Animal fats/Mutton & Goat meat crazy?
Too long...

[4321go]

Japan is egg crazy, but I don't know how to describe people, such as Britons, consuming meat much more than Japanese.

Pork/Poultry/Bovine/Animal fats/Mutton & Goat meat crazy?
Too long...
Funny, I 'd like to hear more from you ~

[Taiko666]

Japan is egg crazy, but I don't know how to describe people, such as Britons, consuming meat much more than Japanese.

Pork/Poultry/Bovine/Animal fats/Mutton & Goat meat crazy?
Too long...

You're preaching to the converted on meat over-consumption, or what ever superlative of 'over-consumption' you want to use. The Western world eats more meat than Japan, but Japan is catching up- and the life expectancy stats will reflect that soon. Sad to see Japan's healthy diet disappearing under Ronald MacDonald's big red bovver boots.

At least in the UK it's possible to avoid meat if you don't want to eat it, and still have a healthy, varied, tasty and convenient diet.

[tada]

I've heard from a Japanese history professor that Japanese people say Westerners "smell like butter". So there probably is still some difference.

[grapefruit]

I've heard from a Japanese history professor that Japanese people say Westerners "smell like butter". So there probably is still some difference.

Really? I have never heard of it.