Why Japanese Live So Long ★ ONLY in JAPAN

So you want to live to be 100? The answers to living a long and happy life may come from Japan which has the longest average life expectancy in the world (83.84 years) and where 2 million people are over the age of 90. Believe it or not, 6 of the top 10 oldest people alive are from Japan including Nabi Tajima of Kagoshima who is 117 years old and the last human alive born in the 19th century!

How did so many Japanese get to live so long?
What are some of the things Japanese do right?

In this episode, John travels to Tottori Prefecture to the area around Mt Daisen where his friend Tomiko-san gives him some advice about how to live a long life and how she's lived to be 106 years old and still working on the farm!

Her secret?
Tofu.

She started to make tofu in the 1950s when doctors said residents had to reduce high blood pressure. She made her own tofu for her family and her diet combined with good habits including staying busy and working hard have strengthened her mind and body. She still walks and writes tanka poetry.

I also ask Mr. Seiichi, my 97 year old Japanese neighbor his secret and hear from a Shinto priest about his thoughts and personal experiences with living a very long and happy life in Japan.

It's impossible to say exactly what has led to Japan having the longest average life expectancy in the world but these things may help:

★ Green Tea
★ Less fatty foods
★ Seafood
★ Fermented foods
★ Bath culture / Hot Springs & Onsen
★ Smaller portions
★ Education on personal responsibility
★ National safety / low crime rates
★ Respect for the Elderly (It's a national holiday too!)
★ DNA

Music credits:
Always thankful for TeknoAXE (Matthew Huffaker)
Songs: Granny Jenkins / Harassing the Mailman

We at WAO-RYU! ONLY in JAPAN will continue to introduce the amazing Japanese food and tradition through the eyes of foreigners in high-quality documentaries.
Many great things about Japan, which even Japanese people didn't know are introduced
Thank you very much for your continuous support!

WAO-RYU! ONLY in JAPANでは外国人の視点でアメイジングな日本の歴史や食べ物などをハイクオリティーなドキュメンタリーで紹介し、
日本も知らない日本の魅力を伝えていきます。
みなさまの応援よろしくお願いします。

ONLY in JAPAN is a registered trademark and all rights are reserved.

[leafleap]

Secret to living a long life?
2:20 *Be Female*
Seriously, have a look at the lists yourselves, its dominated by women.
Top ten oldest people of all time are all women.
Way to go ladies! Long live women!

[saritasharan]

My Grandpa in India lived for 106 yrs. He led a simple stress free life, enjoyed regular traditional meal. But he ate smaller portions, maintained discipline about meal time and went to sleep on time. Did mild form of Yoga and passed away naturally without any disease.

[pabriny]

I wish the whole world valued their elderly people like Japan does. It's a beautiful culture.

[BeatrizAlves-ktjq]

My granpa passed away last year are almost 100 years old.And he always said to his grandchildrens:be careful with what you eat because food make you alive but also can kill you.

[veetour]

Everything in Japan is built to last. Look at their cars... Honda and Toyota. They focus on quality over quantity.

[davewerner]

Man... we're so screwed in America. These elderly people are retiring at 90 and still looking like 60 while we retire at 60 and looking like 90.

[hubey]

A simple mantra to remember, "If you don't use it, you loose it." This goes for almost all aspects of the human experience. In terms of age it's notably apparent in, muscles, bones, cardiovascular fitness, learning (brain), sense of humour, capacity to love, etc. If you have regressed in any area, not all is lost, the body is wondrous in it's capacity to heal and rehabilitate, the key is belief and taking the first steps. Life rewards courage.

[unhiddenhistory]

I am an American who has been longing to visit Japan since childhood. I am studying the language on my own because I want to be ready if that day ever comes. Japan and its culture have always drawn me in, and Japanese music, art and stories often sustain me and keep me sane during the dark times in life. Now, I am exploring and trying the healthy foods eaten there, in the hope that these foods will restore my health. The American diet has destroyed the bodies of so many people, and I don't want to be another victim.

[FJGenso]

She is 106 years old and still give you detail information about her life, that's amazing.

[seanbrummfield]

In Japan, they have documentaries of why people eat healthier and live longer and what they did to get there. In America, we have documentaries of why people weigh 600 lbs. or over and what in life has got them to that point.

[LeftyAmigo]

Eat healthy, drink two cups of green tea daily, exercise, take vitamin tabs and sleep well.

That's what I've done and it's my 90th birthday next week. 😊

[TheLeaAdventures]

Oh! How I miss Japan! Been staying there for a month with my family, I miss Japanese food, the people are so welcoming & friendly and very clean country💕

[ptcumanasharon]

My grandfather was 107 yrs old when he passed away in June 2019. He grew up in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad so his diet was similar to these people but included lots of tropical fruits and veggies. He had an easy-going personality and his mind stayed sharp til the end of his life. He was always very active and woke up by dawn everyday.

[thsuperelite]

And here i am, 19, and forget sometimes what i went into the room to do...

[mariuquidiello]

My mother died at 100 and her sister my aunt died at 105 almost 106 . There were from Cuba but lived in exile in Santo Domingo . My mother worked until 95 she was a Guidance and a Psychologist . She loved her work and helped thousands of students get their career. My aunt was a writer but spend tio much of a stressful life in her husbands politics . They eat a Mediterranean diet, not too much food for sure and not much grease . Genes are really one of the most important factos in living a long life but the food and to help others is very important too !! The inner condition of live and your Karma is most important !

[dianagarchitorena]

because asia has a culture to live with their elders. kids nurture them with respect and therefore they are happy, no pressure to the aging elders, and this gives them no stress. These are the very denominator of longevity. it is time that all of us should follow their example.

[maix]

I think being happy and stressfree is the way too

[AndrewDrazdikJr]

Thanks! Ethical interviewing is essential with video socio anthropology. This good example of narrative, camera, and attention to the audience knowledge has all the elements. Nice work!

[simonenin]

Well I wasn’t expecting the Porsche that’s for sure 😄🙈Thanks for this beautiful video ☺️

[AlexAD]

That Tofu family is quite amazing. Respect for not changing with the times and still using traditional and healthy materials for their product.