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The 3 Secrets to Japanese Longevity

Nam Nguyen
Elemental
Published in
7 min readOct 20, 2020

A ripe rice fields ready to be harvested in the countryside of Japan
A ripe rice field ready to be harvested in the countryside of Japan. Photo courtesy of the author

According to a 2019 life expectancy report, the average lifespan of the whole world is 72.6 years, but for Japan, it is 84.6 years. With more than 29% of its population over the age of 65, the Land of the Rising Sun is consistently recognized for its big community of healthy elders. On December 28, 2012, Jiroemon Kimura became the oldest verified male in history — he lived for 116 years and 54 days before dying from natural causes.

What’s the Japanese secret to maintaining good health for so many years? In Japan, it is no secret. In fact, everyone learns it at a young age. In their mandatory educational program, Japanese children are taught to eat a balanced diet, keep good hygiene, and exercise daily. Those habits, formed early, help establish a strong foundation for well-being.

I had my own experience in Japan. I wasn’t a tourist; I lived there. I ate what the Japanese around me ate, I drank what they drank, and I shared the same air. I lived my Japanese life as everyone else in the country does. It is easy to eat well and stay fit in each corner of this beloved nation. Here’s a peek at some of the fundamental cornerstones of well-being in Japan.

1. A balanced diet

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Elemental
Elemental

Published in Elemental

Elemental is a former publication from Medium for science-backed health and wellness coverage. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Nam Nguyen
Nam Nguyen

Written by Nam Nguyen

Engineer by day, writer by night. Write a draft like no one is watching. Edit the draft as if the whole world is going to read it.

Responses (13)

So, in other words, resistance to all the fundamental values of capitalism will maximize life. Capitalism is considered an economic system, but it is more like a digestive system, because it consumes the bounty of nature and the end product is shit…

Great article but I think Japan is the place in the world where I see Ikigai practiced the least.

Quite a romantic view in my opinion, but there are many nuggets of wisdom to be found in the Japanese way of life.