2023-06-17 07:00:00
The Japanese are known for their longevity. Inhabited by many centenarians, the country has a way of life very different from ours.
Humans are not the longest living animal. But the Japanese are among the oldest living humans. Why such longevity ? We take stock together.
Longevity: Do the Japanese really live longer than us?
According to a 2020 report signed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Japanese live on average much longer than us in the West.
Some figures on the longevity of the Japanese
Women, who live longer than men in all countries, have a life expectancy of approximately 89 years in Japan against 85 years in France. Men live on average up to 79 years in France and up to 82 years in Japan.
In France, 0,04 % of the population is centenary. In Japan, it’s 0.13%, according to the UN Global Health Observatory. So yes, even if the dean of the world was a FrançaiseJeanne, disappeared at 122 ans, Japan has many more centenarians and older people than our Western countries. The second dean of humanity after Jeanne was a Japanese and she left us at 119 ans.
The average age in Japan is 47. In France, the average age is 41 ans. A difference which is explained by the tendency in Japan to make fewer children (being pregnant without marriage is wrong and the Japanese devote themselves much more to work than to family for a large part of their lives).
Centenarians, but also many early deaths
Be careful, it is still worth remembering that in Japan, there are also a lot of early deaths, more than in France. But this is not due to aging or disease, but to another scourge more present in Japan than in France: the Depression.
In Japan, the youngest and workers are often prey to suicide or at alcoholism. There, the desire for success is anchored in customs and, thus, the Japanese are more likely to work hard, to work longer days, to sleep at work. Young Japanese are under academic pressure and many are also under harassment.
Japan is the leading consumer country of antidepressants in the world, France is the second. As in all countries, there are good and bad sides to the culture of the country. We will mainly focus on the “good sides”those who can explain the longevity of the Japanese.
SEE ALSO: TOP 16 misconceptions about Japan and Japanese culture
A very different pace of life in Japan than in the West
To begin with, know that the Japanese have a very different lifestyle of ours. Here are some differences that may explain their longevity.
- Sport and moving all the time. In Japan, using a car is much less common than in France. There is a lot more public transport, which is also more convenient. But also, many Japanese people travel on foot or by bicycle. Finally, in addition to working a lot, the Japanese walk a lot and move a lot without realizing it. Also, the Japanese buy their groceries every day. Not like us who shop weekly in general. So they go to the store every day, often on foot.
- Getting up early. In the morning, very early, it is not uncommon to see lots of elderly people doing sports outside as well. Sport and bustling is central in the country, but getting up early seems to be too.
- Relaxing and spiritual practices. Hot springs, onsen, are very popular in Japan. And it’s not for nothing. Taking care of your body and relaxing outside of work seems to be a reason that explains the longevity of the Japanese. A healthy mind in a healthy body also means less daily stress and less cardiovascular risk. In Japan, we are also very focused on spirituality, on the traditions stemming from the Shinto or Buddhist religions. These beliefs and this desire to anchor oneself in a spiritual routine can also explain longevity, in particular because this kind of practice reduces stress and reinforces self-knowledge and introspection.
- Socialization. The Japanese like to be alone once in a while, like many people. But, they have more social life than us. Going for a coffee in town, going to a restaurant with friends, a family evening, outings… In addition to being active, the Japanese maintain happiness through community life.
- Less smoking, on the other hand more alcohol (especially sake after the meal, to promote digestion). In Japan, smoking in the street is frowned upon. Moreover, throwing a cigarette butt on the ground can be punished, in particular by the public gaze, then very heavy for the smoker. This may possibly explain the longevity of the Japanese. Even if, let us remember, the doyenne of French humanity smoked until her death at 122 years old. On the other hand, the Japanese drink more alcohol. A common point with Jeanne, dean of humanity, who drank a glass of alcohol a day.
- A coup of heredity and climate in Japan? heredity may also have something to do with it, as this study demonstrates.
- The fear of size. It is not a fear in Japan, but it is true that being fat is not particularly a guarantee of good health and it is not very well seen on a daily basis. So many Japanese eat healthy and in small quantities and do a lot of sports for that.
- The ikigai or the “raison d’être” is a way of looking at life that may explain the longevity of the Japanese. For what ? Because having a reason for being, a goal in life would help to bring inner peace and therefore to have better mental and physical health. It teaches you to listen to yourself, to listen to others. A reason to get up in the morning that motivates you for all aspects of your life. Ikigai is a mix of what you like, what the world needs, what you can get paid for, and what you are good at, according to Okinawan culture.
SEE ALSO: Travel to Japan: 10 interesting activities for a varied stay!
The diet of the Japanese, the secret of their longevity
The diet and eating habits of the Japanese may also explain their longevity. In any case, this is what many nutritionists in the world, including Japanese, reveal. Here are some leads:
- A very rich and balanced diet. The Japanese have a very diverse and varied diet, but above all composed of very different things compared to us. Among the products that may have a link with longevity, there are: the consumption of seaweed, fish and seafood and much less red meat, soup and in particular traditional Miso soup, spices, rice, soy, vegetable protein.
- The drinks are also different. The Japanese drink a little less sugary sodas, but more juice or sugar-free products. Otherwise, they drink water in large quantities, especially with tea, a drink full of benefits.
- The cooking is also very different: the Japanese cook more by steaming or grilling, or they eat raw and/or marinated. So there are less fatty oils. The Japanese also use less salt and prefer to smell the taste of the food rather than seasoning it.
- Of the different cultural eating habits. In France, we eat a lot of buttered cakes, very sweet candies, fatty charcuterie and cheese. In Japan, it is much less, if at all. There, we will focus more on the bean paste, on the fruits too, the seaweed.
- Eat in smaller quantities and of better quality. Eating in smaller quantities and of quality, especially in a smaller container such as a bowl, also seems to have effects on satiety and therefore on thinness and on transit. The same goes for how to eat in small quantities but everything at each meal. The “tapas” style, where you come to peck a bit of everything on the table. The Japanese would have good digestion, in particular with the help of digestive walks and a better knowledge of their dietary limits. In general, they eat at 80% of their hunger, or 20% before reaching complete satiety and having a very full stomach. This prevents bloating and bowel disorders.
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