Why is the life expectancy in Japan higher than in the U.S.?

Answer 1

I'd say these reasons:
1. Japan has a healthier traditional diet rich in seaweed, seafood and tofu- which are high protein, low fat foods. Their portion sizes are smaller.
2. Japanese walk more- leading to them having the lowest rates of obesite among all OCED nations.
3. Their healthcare system makes health care affordable for seniors. (Universal Health Insurance- government regulated health care)
4. Japan values their elders, and has a society where elders can still feel like important members of the society. This leads to a greater sense of purpose and self esteem among elders. Compare it with an American society where seniors often feel alone and forgotten, inspite of the fact America is what it is because of their contributions.
5. High rates of literacy- so people read up and can be knowledgeable about health concerns.

However, this comes with certain caveats:
1. The modern Japanese man or woman may not be as healthy an eater as his dad. Western type foods- fried and batter dipped are eaten, as are doughnuts. This might contribute to lower life expectancy in the future.
2. Japan has very high cigarette consumption now- and that might cause rates to drop as well.
3. Japan already has one of the world's largest rates of suicides.

So, why a Japanese man or woman, who was born before the sixties will on the average, live a longer and healthier life than an American, it will be interesting to see how long this trend is sustained.

Answer 2

Because they eat better as everyone has answered.
They don't eat the same food as people in the US and they sure as hell don't eat as much.
Also they don't drive everywhere. Most peopl in major cities don't have cars. And even when they do they don't ride it everyday to work. They ride in trains and walk or ride bicycles.
More excercise the better!

I noticed when I went to NY that there weren't too many fat people. I think the walking has a lot to do with it because in NY you walk like crazy.
Come to LA and you'll notice a lot more fat people than in NY.
But then again LA has the whole "eat organic and stay healthy" vide so I'm guessing the obesity rate is better than some cities...

Although Japanese people enjoy pizza and burgers and fries, they don't eat it everyday and they definitely don't super-size.
If the people in US stopped counting on Sugar/Salt/Cheese etc for more flavor, I think the national obesity rate would go down that much.

I hear green tea helps too.

Answer 3

Have you heard of the obese gene?

1 person in 10 has it in the US. 1 person in 4 has it in Japan. Japanese are more likely to gain weight than Americans.

Answer 4

Part of the reason is also because Japan has an excellent public health care system available to all people and state of the art private health care plans available to those willing and able to afford them. The US also has state of the art health care plans, but few people can afford them and their is no public health care system except for the extremely poor, the elderly and the indigent. It's just a matter of priorities with the tax revenues.

Answer 5

I think that the answers you have received are on target. Less red meat, more healthy food like rice and seaweed,edamame,soy --all the stuff that also drives down the risk for cancer, obesity and such. Also, meditation has a way of reducing stress and high blood pressure. Their entire way of life is more healthy than most Americans. That said, the introduction of fast food for the past food decades is also introducing more hypertension, diabetes and obesity into that society. Sadly, in a few decades they may rank the same as Americans.

Answer 6

Why is the life expectancy of...
Japan
Hong Kong
Switzerland
Australia
Sweden
Italy
Canada
Israel
France
Spain
Norway
New Zealand
Austria
Belgium
Germany
Singapore
Cyprus
Luxembourg
Finland
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Greece
Costa Rica
United Arab Emirates
Chile
Ireland
higher than in the US?

Answer 7

Food. Sea food. And in general Japanese people are quite
up to date with the latest healthy life regimen.

Answer 8

Who really knows?

But, if I were to guess it would likely be due to the diet, excercise and moderation. 3 Words that seem to be foreign to Americans.

Diet - not processed, not fried, cooked quickly to retain nutrients, and here's one Americans should try.. small portions.

Excercise - Japanese do not sit and watch tv for hours each day, in fact, they don't really sit around the house at all. Lots of bicycles.

Moderation - junk food, alcohol, lathargy. These are things that are fairly uncommon to the culture, and if they are present, are in small amounts.

Answer 9

they pollute less making them healthier, they are not the fattest country in the world (wich is the us) and it has nothing to do with more or less the statistics are done by average

To cuddly lez
seafood and fish are the same thing
-bob

Answer 10

More fish, less red meath, less obeseity. In short, they eat a better diet and have a more active lifestyle.