Japan’s Lifespan Surges to 85.2 Years, But Inequality Persists: Research
TOKYO — Japan’s average life expectancy hit 85.2 years in 2021, marking an increase of 5.8 years compared to roughly three decades earlier. However, the duration lived with health problems as well as regional discrepancies have expanded, according to findings from a research group.
In a
study
Published online on March 20 in The Lancet Public Health, one of Britain’s prestigious journals affiliated with The Lancet, a research group comprising scientists from Keio University examined statistics sourced from the Vital Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Survey, along with previous studies focusing on disease rates. They calculated individual averages for life expectancy and associated metrics per prefecture independently. Their findings led them to propose innovative societal strategies aimed at fostering healthier communities characterized by extended lifespans.
The study indicated that average life expectancy climbed from 79.4 years in 1990 to 85.2 years in 2021, whereas healthy life expectancy rose from 69.4 years to 73.8 years. Consequently, the duration of living with health problems extended by 1.4 years, totaling 11.3 years.
All numbers have been rounded to one decimal point. Unlike national metrics, healthy life expectancy demonstrates the extent and influence of disease occurrence.
In 1990, Okinawa boasted the highest average life expectancy at 80.6 years, whereas Osaka reported the lowest at 78.2 years, showing a discrepancy of 2.3 years. Fast forward to 2021, every prefecture experienced an increase in longevity; however, the disparity expanded slightly to 2.9 years. At this time, Shiga led with an impressive 86.3-year life span, followed distantly by Aomori which stood at 83.4 years—the top and bottom ends of the spectrum, respectively.
Death rates, apart from those caused by significant age-related conditions such as strokes, heart disease, and gastric cancers, dropped by around 2% each year between 1990 and 2005, but this decline slowed down to approximately 1.1% per year from 2015 to 2021.
The team observed that although medicine has made great strides, a comprehensive strategy incorporating improved social services should complement medical treatment. Concerning regional inequalities, Shuhei Nomura, a distinguished professor at Keio University with expertise in global health, remarked, “If areas known for their long lifespans can guide us—by effectively distributing healthcare resources and promoting healthy living habits—the discrepancies might diminish.”
(Originally written in Japanese by Ryo Watanabe from the Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)