Monday 24 September 2007

Elderly people in Japan - problem or advantage?




Land of the rising geriatrics
In any other country, 100th birthdays are a cause for celebration. Not so in Japan, where extraordinary life expectancy is creating a timebomb for the nation's health and social security systems. Jeremy Laurance reports from Tokyo on a looming population crisis
The tropical Okinawan islands in Japan's extreme south-west are home to more than twice the national average of centenarians. Their traditional diet is deemed even healthier than that of mainland Japan, with more edible seaweeds, higher protein content and more local produce rich in antioxidants, as well as a more relaxed lifestyle. Read the rest of the article here.

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