The secret of Japanese longevity

Abstract

Currently, Japanese have achieved excellent longevity in the world. The contributing factors to this longevity would be the introduction of universal coverage of health insurance, high prevalence of regular health check-up in the working place and community, and the ubiquitous availability of medical resources. However, there have emerged many problems in Japanese public health recently that endanger the sustainability of Japanese longevity. Firstly, expenditures on health are likely to grow drastically as the society gets gray. Currently, there are about three workers to every pensioner in Japan; however, the number is expected to be halved by 2050. Consequently, the increased financial demand would jeopardize the universal health insurance system. Secondly, life-style diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, are getting more common even in younger generation because of the westernized preference of diets to traditional one and less opportunity for the physical exercise. Finally, a persistent longevity gap still exists between men and women. Under such circumstances, assessment of individual testosterone level might contribute to the promotion of men's health in Japan.