national

Japan women world's longest-lived as male lifespan tops 80

52 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

52 Comments
Login to comment

Maybe Japanese women are reason for the men's lower life expectancy.

8 ( +18 / -10 )

Coupled with the long unproductive work hours, drinking sessions with the boss and customers, higher levels of drinking and smoking, little exercise and poor eating and sleeping habits. All contribute to the lower life expectancy of Japanese men.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

Long life probably looks good, but don't want be bedridden for decades.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

Priority should be given to improving the quality of life rather than prolonging life.

15 ( +17 / -2 )

No surprises here. I'm pretty sure most men would live to hundred if they did nothing but sit around popping bon-bons all day, or hanging around at the local community center for virtually free hula/yoga lessons (followed by cake and coffee with friends, of course).

10 ( +18 / -8 )

The Worlds Oldest Person in the photo doesn't look a day over 106. Japanese older women hold their age well!

6 ( +9 / -3 )

this is actually bad news for the government. as life expectancy increases, the gov't must allocate more and more resources to help care and maintain their standard of living. combined with a falling birth rate, japanese finances are in a dire situation.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

I'm pretty sure most men would live to hundred if they did nothing but sit around popping bon-bons all day, or hanging around at the local community center for virtually free hula/yoga lessons (followed by cake and coffee with friends, of course).

Boy, you really are obsessed...you can eat bon-bons even if you don't work, buy yourself a box! You sound overworked, if you have to spit venom at housewives even when the article doesn't mention them. Or just extremely jealous, you always make the exact....same....comment....every time- bon-bons, hula lessons, cake and coffee. Go have some coffee and a piece of cake it might make you feel better!

1 ( +10 / -9 )

This is very telling:

“There is still a room for growth in the lifespan if medical technology advances,” a health ministry official said.

It's all about how long they can keep people living, not quality of life.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

It's all about how long they can keep people living, not quality of life.

What is quality of life for old people? I think Japanese old people generally have quality of life. Like my mother for instance she seems happier than me, doing gardening, traveling, talking with neighbors, still taking care of me and other children of her,etc. Isn't it good enough?

3 ( +9 / -6 )

I think Japanese old people generally have quality of life.

I think that Japanese women do, not so sure about the men.

Like my mother for instance she seems happier than me, doing gardening, traveling, talking with neighbors, etc

Yes, that would be the recipe for a long and happy life. But at what price to the rest of us?

,

1 ( +6 / -5 )

"...figures released Thursday showed."

This is not the least bit helpful. What organization researched the data?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Do you know why Japanese men die before their wives?

Because they want to!

5 ( +9 / -3 )

As always, typical JT posters manage to find something negative in this positive news

-5 ( +8 / -13 )

@Hide Suzuki

Did you even read the article? According to it, "Japan's ageing population is a headache for policymakers" and "the proportion of people aged 65 or over is forecast to reach nearly 40 percent of the population in 2060, the government has warned." Nobody is doing cartwheels about this, certainly not the citizens of Japan.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

The mandatory retirement, which largely applies to men, needs to be addressed as it was set at a time that life expectancy was lower and the birthrate higher.

I agree that quality of life is more important than longevity.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Hope calculations were based excluding skeletons at home and missing people as well.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

A long life is only worthwhile if you have your health and you can indeed fund the said long life.I for one do not want to live if I am sick and in poverty.There's no point. I will just take a bunch of pills and get it over with.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Japanese men ranked fourth on the longevity list of the world’s 50 major countries and regions behind Hong Kong, Iceland and Switzerland, the health ministry said

Japanese women are responsible for shortening the live span of Japanese men.

I for one do not want to live if I am sick and in poverty.There's no point.

Uncomfotable truth is poor people live longer and healthier. Not the rich and successful people. Okinawa is the poorest prefecture of Japan. However it is the champion of longevity in the world. Your life span is according the God will. Not under your control unless making the self harm.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I will just take a bunch of pills and get it over with.

Yes, that's better than jumping from a platform for the rest of us.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Who says smoking is bad for you?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@Athletes

Uncomfotable truth is poor people live longer and healthier.

That's not really true. Besides the examples in the story which are technically not considered to be poor or third world countries, simpler lifestyles and genetics with the former being more influential are the main reasons for longer lives.

Simpler lifestyles meaning healthy foods, regular exercise, and very little stress. They are the holy trinity for long life.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

What is quality of life for old people? I think Japanese old people generally have quality of life. Like my mother for instance she seems happier than me, doing gardening, traveling, talking with neighbors, still taking care of me and other children of her,etc. Isn't it good enough?

I guess your mother is still on the "young" side of being old. My grandmother in law is pretty much a vegetable who lives in a hospital. Before she got a bed, my parents in law looked after her - with care twice a week. Shocking doesn't even descibe what I saw. I know many, many families who are praying granny kicks the bucket soon because she is a burden on them and the family finances. All is great as long as you are able bodied and sound of mind. If one of those goes, Japan is a shocking place with regards to care for the elderly. I fear growing old here because of what I have seen with regards to how old people are treated. The stories I hear from older folks caring for their parents or who have parents in hospitals is sad. There is no dying with dignity in this country.

And yes, this is no good news for the country. Great, more folks to prop up with a shrinking population. Japan seriously needs to rethink the whole "Feed tubes are not allowed to be removed" rule. Nothing like our taxes paying for someone who has been a vegetable for 10 years... Not to mention the cost to the family.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

All the comments about Japanese women causing earlier deaths of men, I hope are joking! It's a known phenomenon that women generally live longer than men, observable in any country/culture. Though maybe that means women everywhere are a force to be reckoned with (tongue planted firmly in cheek)! My dad always said its because we women cry more. Maybe a grain of truth...letting your feelings flow is better for health than internalizing stress like many generations of men have been taught to do "don't cry, you're a boy!"

0 ( +2 / -2 )

@Fouxdefa

There's been a fair amount of medical research recently that suggests the opposite is true: keeping a stiff upper lip and not giving vent to your feelings is healthier in the long run.

I think nature has designed women to live longer because they're more useful to the species as child-carers. Once a man became to old to chuck spears at mammoths then he was pretty much redundant....

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Longevity is more than just living long... by government measures. It means infant mortality has gone down - whoever gets born is healthier, avoiding sickness, accidents, or other life-threatening maladies... It also reflects the fact that we don't fight in wars (nor do Hong Kong, Iceland, or Switzerland). So despite the diabetes and stroke survivor improvements, the vast majority of senior citizens here really do enjoy life after work - and deserve to, too!

Wish more of them would work longer and not retire (or be forced to retire) when they turn 60, though...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Do poor people live longer? The life expectancy in Japan and the rest of the "developed" countries is over 70 years of age, the life expectancy for Africa is 40 to 50 years of age. A man and women will live to be in their eighties, while a man or woman in Africa could expect to live a ripe old age of 42.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Some points to remember, the oldest man in the the world was found to have been dead for 30 years?, statistics can be screwed by say 100 or so similar examples. Think it's a myth supported by a Government intent on telling the world " we are No1" but again how many family's collect a pension for grandmum in the closet?

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@Kristianne

Surely it's not question of "rich" and "poor", but "simple" (fish and rice) and "overly-developed" (pizza and taxis).

It's a cliche, but people don't appreciate good health till they lose it. I speak from unpleasant experience.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

80 year olds grew up during the hard life of WWII. No food no nothing. Their bodies are tough. I expect the longevity of Japanese to start falling to US levels since we (especiallyl young people) started eating a US diet and obesity (or at least chubbyness) is increasing.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Do you know why Japanese men die before their wives? Because they want to!

So that they don't have to see their wives die. That's what most J husbands say.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I have to question these figures. The number of pension frauds involving children and grandchildren of missing elderly who have died long time ago are probably astronomical. As many things are in Japan, things may not be really what it looks like on surface, and Japan's lifespan estimates are probably over-rated each year.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/freeexchange/2010/09/pensions

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

"A Japanese boy born in 2013 can now expect to live 80.21 years"

No he can't. For one thing, the oil's going to basically run out way before he's 80.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

So that they don't have to see their wives die. That's what most J husbands say.

Really? Do you have a link to support that because I have never, ever, heard a Japanese man say that.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Priority should be given to improving the quality of life rather than prolonging life.

People who advocate eugenics and euthanasia would agree with you, too.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I live in USA and once in a year, one of my daughters bring to a doctor. One of question is if I play games or use computer. A few years ago, I asked why he asks me the question. He said although Japanese women live longer, if you don't use brain, senile comes earlier.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Well, if this is the case, I don't stand a Chinaman's chance for long life! I'm coming to join you Elizabeth! I'll be the one holding chopsticks.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"So that they don't have to see their wives die. That's what most J husbands say."

Really? Do you have a link to support that because I have never, ever, heard a Japanese man say that.

I have heard a lot. Typically they say "I don't want my wife to die earlier than me." Isn't it the same thing?They want to be taken care of until the end.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Isn't it the same thing?They want to be taken care of until the end.

What you said first and what you are saying now are NOT the same thing. I love my wife and don'T want to see her die is NOT the same thing as "I want someone to cook, clean and look after me until I die". Regardless, I have NEVER heard a Japanese man say such a thing.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I really still dont understand these figures. Japanese food is not as healthy as they all like to think it is (salt, fat, processed, white rice etc) they smoke like chimneys, drink like fish, their working lives are loaded with stress, and the medical system seems to be a lottery of whether your doctor is actually a good doctor, or someone from a rich family who could buy their way into med school.

So HOW exactly are they doing this???! Genuine question - I really want to know Is it the green tea? Is it a magic elixir??!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I have to question these figures. The number of pension frauds involving children and grandchildren of missing elderly who have died long time ago are probably astronomical. As many things are in Japan, things may not be really what it looks like on surface, and Japan's lifespan estimates are probably over-rated each year.

Statistically insignificant.

http://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/life/life12/dl/life12-06.pdf

http://www.huffingtonpost.jp/2013/07/25/lifetime-japan_n_3656022.html

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I have never, ever, heard a Japanese man say that.

I've heard one.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I love my wife and don'T want to see her die is NOT the same thing as "I want someone to cook, clean and look after me until I die"

"I love my wife and don't want to see her die" is almost the same as "I want my wife to cook, clean and look after me until I die."

I have NEVER heard a Japanese man say such a thing.

You will.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"I love my wife and don't want to see her die" is almost the same as "I want my wife to cook, clean and look after me until I die."

No it isn't. Nothing like the same. From my own personal experience, and yes I admit it's anecdotal, it's the men who are already doing their share of the cooking, cleaning and general looking-after who are more likely to say "I love my wife and don't want to see her die".

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My point was Japanese men usually expect their wives to live longer. It's maybe from love, but they usually don't say it. The tmarie's expression"I want my wife to cook, clean and look after me until I die." is something I've never heard, but I don't think it's particularly bad because I wouldn't take it seriously if I heard, and would consider it the same as "I want you to liver longer than me." maybe just me.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I didn't say I had "heard" that at all. I am just stating that your comment seems to suggest J husbands say such things because they love their wife and I think that is a joke - more so for the current old generation. If it was said because they expect three meals and a bath drawn, I'd agree with you but that isn't what you said - though you seem to have changed your mind in your last post by questioning if it would be said out of love. And no, the two phrases do not have the same meaning.

I've heard one.

it's the men who

??

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@NathalieBAUG. 03, 2014 - 12:37AM JST I really still dont understand these figures. Japanese food is not as healthy as they all like to think it is (salt, fat, processed, white rice etc) they smoke like chimneys, drink like fish, their working lives are loaded with stress, and the medical system seems to be a lottery of whether your doctor is actually a good doctor, or someone from a rich family who could buy their way into med school.

So HOW exactly are they doing this???! Genuine question - I really want to know Is it the green tea? Is it a magic elixir??!

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

You are writing about somewhere else;s custom, not when these older women grew up during WW I. WW II ration time in Japan. Smoking women were ostracized, then, Rice was rationed. Sake and alcohol was used for military fuels, Totalitariianism era they grew. Rationing rice? In south, farm owners who receive rice from tenant farmers had to hide rice in their storage building and blackmarketers from north came to buy. Because Buddhism influence, meat eating custom was not established then.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

tmarie I didn't change my mind at all. Japanese don't take words so literally. Anyway "I want to die before you" kind of thing is not something you hear often in daily conversation.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

People need to work longer. The retirement age is too young. But there are bigger problems than this with Japanese companies.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Tessa

You imply that Japanese females live so long due to being idle and eating bonbons and cakes. That shows a total ignorance of these matters. The healthier you eat and the more exercise you do increases the lifespan. We can thus deduce that Japanese females eat far healthier and are more active than their Western counterparts.

Being idle and eating crap is what many western females do these days, wonder why the majority are overweight. When i travel to cities in Japan i am always shocked at the flabby ill looking foreigners i see, male and female. Not all are like this of course but i would estimate that at least 70% of Westren adult females could do with losing some weight for starters.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

A majority of retired executives have no problems in getting another careers. Directors and executive directors could have second employment of titles same kind. Or not so efficient one get none future positions of sodan-yaku (advisors). IT and hardware specialists who have experiences as speakers in industries may wind uo Research Professors. many of them gambled on stock markets and not like ordinal salaymen. Some corporations, losing such talents for retirement ruins their business. Look at Sony history. They got rid of 3 tops in 2008 and you know how it is now. It also lost patent holding employees for age retirement.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If it was said because they expect three meals and a bath drawn, I'd agree with you

I've heard one.

it's the men who

??

The one who said it to me isn't getting, and has no reason to expect in the future, three meals and a bath drawn.

The ones I've heard have said it to other women (like I said, anecdotal) are also, as far as my outsider's eye can tell, not getting the 'full works' .

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites