JAPAN
Takahiro Takiguchi illustration

(Image by Yukiyo Oda, Stripes Japan)

Japan is getting older and older! While the nation has the highest life expectancy, 84.3 years, in the world (81.47 for men, 87.57 for women), about 28.4 percent of Japan’s population is 65 or older. The U.S. ranks 40th at age 78.5, and while the number of elderly rapidly increases in Japan, the number of children being born declines, causing major concerns over how a shrinking workforce will continue to fund healthcare and social security.

Oki (offshore in Japanese kanji character)

Oki (offshore) (Stripes Japan)

The best stories from the Pacific, in your inbox

Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more.

Sign Up Now