 Japanese
girls born last year can expect to live until they are 86
years old, which would make them the longest survivors in the
world, a report from the country's health ministry showed.
Boys born in 2007 can expect to live to the age of 79.2,
ranking third after Iceland and Hong Kong, the report said.
Japan's females have topped the world's longevity ranks for
23 years, something researchers have attributed to their
healthy diet and tight social ties, among other reasons.
The report is the latest sign that Japan is ageing quicker
than any other country, with government data showing a tenth
of the population aged 75 years or older.
The proportion of those 65 years or older is also seen
doubling to 40 percent by mid-century.
"People are in different social environments and are
influenced by various factors and eating habits, so it's hard
to answer the question of why people live long," a ministry
spokesman said.
"But we can say that the improvement of medical technologies
helps," the spokesman added. Japan has improved treatments
for the ageing population's three biggest killers -- cancer,
heart disease and stroke.
Japan also has one of the world's lowest birth-rates, leaving
the government with the challenge of how to fund its pension
requirements, take care of its elderly and maintain
productivity. |
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