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After the war, the generation that rebuilt Japan rose above hunger, filling their bellies on whatever was at hand; when not working they smoked like chimneys — and yet they accomplished vast enterprises and achieved the world's longest life expectancy into the bargain.

Wednesday 02nd July, 03:05 AM JST

Journalist Takao Tokuoka, longing for better, simpler, bluffer, heartier times. (Shukan Bunshun)

5 Comments

  • wilbur at 01:00 PM JST - 2nd July

    actually it was the US that rebuilt japan with tons of money and favorable trade policies

  • moonbeams at 07:07 PM JST - 2nd July

    I believe, though I could be wrong, and in no ways mean to discredit this hardworking generation, however I believe that the "world's longest lifespan" is for the Okinawans. Because Okinawa is a prefecture of Japan, Japan takes the credit. However, the culture and diet, not to mention race or completely different.

  • usaexpat at 12:43 AM JST - 3rd July

    I understand when we look at the weak Japan of today full of freeters and nut jobs that this guy longs for the "pull yourself up by the boot straps" work ethic of yore. It's the same in the States longing for the "greatest generation" of ww2.

  • lipscombe at 12:49 AM JST - 3rd July

    things were better in my day, used to be all fields round 'ere

  • sageb1 at 11:50 AM JST - 7th July

    They need to subsidise farming, but not the cattle industry which will only serve to challenge Japanese thinness!

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