Standard of Living in Japan

Japanese people are among the healthiest on the planet and this is due in large part to their diet. Although being among the healthiest people, Japan still has health issues. 

Suicide is now the single biggest killer of Japanese men aged 20 -44 years old and the fastest growing suicide demographic.  Several factors contribute to the problem with 40% of young people unable to find stable jobs and technology increasing young people's isolation.  The evidence suggests young people are committing suicide because they are incapable of seeking help and have lost hope.

The country as a whole needs to start talking about mental illness and the government needs to bring awareness to the subject and offer more support in the workplace and in society.

Smoking cigarettes in Japan, especially among Japanese men, has been consistently high compared with other Western countries.  Although the mortality rates from lung cancer have been consistently lower in Japan, second-hand smoke among women and children claims 15,000 deaths a year.  Smoking is still possible on school grounds and hospitals.  This may change with the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.  Pressure is being put on the Japanese capital from the International Olympic Committee to ban smoking in all public places creating a healthy sporting environment.  Tourists from Europe and North America are used to smoking being banned indoors.  Tobacco is a very important tax resource but the health of Japanese people and the image of the country could be enough for the government to impose a total ban in public places ahead of the Olympic Games. 

Traditional Japanese food is low in fat but high in sodium which is a contributing factor for high blood pressure.  Every year, high dietary salt intake accounts for 34,000 deaths.  Management of high blood pressure at the national level is important and should be established by a monitoring system. Awareness of the correlation between a high sodium diet and high blood pressure should be implemented by the government through national policy.  Just because Japan has a high life expectancy, other health issues exist and need to be addressed for true longevity to be achieved.