Japanese Women's Recipe of Longevity

The elderly citizens are more common than young people in Japan. The population of Japan is comprised of more people over the age of 65 than any other age group since many Japanese live to be well over 100 years old (Cirelli). One factor attributes to their longevity is their low calorie and fat diet. For example, The Okinawans believe that one mixture that they drink can cause them to live longer made of a mix of honey, garlic, aloe vera and turmeric along with a native liquor. Moreover, the diet of Okinawans is mostly vegetarian. This healthy diet helps Japanese citizens maintain a healthy weight, not to mention low cholesterol and blood pressure.

According to Delia Quigley from Care2.com, there are several reasons why Japanese people, especially women achieve longevity in their lives. The ingredients used in a Japanese kitchen are a simple variety of foods eaten on a consistent and daily basis, such as fish, soy, land and sea vegetables, rice, fruit, and green tea. All these ingredients are considered healthy, since they are high in protein, vitamin and minerals, and also low in fat. The second factor of why Japanese people longevity is that they eat more fish that the rest of the world do  and eat 5x more vegetable than Americans.

Japanese people emphasizes greatly on the freshness of their food ingredients. They believe fresh is best, and also they serve food in great display and smaller portions than food in America, because they believe less is more (Quigley). I think what it means that with smaller potion, people try to eat slower and enjoy the savory of their food more. Food preparation is also an important part of keeping the food healthy. Techniques commonly used are steaming, pan grilling, sauté, simmer or quick stir fries in a wok using heart healthy oils and flavored broth to season a dish. And though the meal is light people feel content and satisfied.

In Japan, breakfast is considered the most important and biggest meal of the day. It can consist of a variety of small courses which include green tea, steamed rice, miso soup with tofu and scallions, small sheets of nori seaweed, an egg omelet or piece of fish (Quigley). Emphasizing on breakfast is not exclusive to Japan of course, as it is a common fact that by eating breakfast, people tend to maintain healthier weight, because they keep their next meal proportion moderately.

Moreover, Japanese people is not overly obsessed with dieting and weight loss like many American women do.  They are encourage to try diverse variation food without concerning too much on dieting, but do be careful to keep everything on small portion. I believe that by not concerning too much on dieting, they can actually enjoy they food and reduce stress; therefore, increasing their lifespan.

References
http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/elderly-people-japan
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-reasons-japanese-women-dont-get-old-or-fat.html?page=1

Japanese Elderly Women Activities

It has been know that Japanese people have longer life expectancy than most people in the world. One of the secret that they have longer span is that they keep active throughout their life. Japanese people believe that they should as long as they can; some even still work in their 90s ("Elderly People in Japan"). Japanese elders try to make most of their daily life with enriching activities.

It appears that Japanese elderly group does not like not having something to with their  hand in their old days. Many of them prefer to do activities, preferably together in a community where many Japanese in same age range can enjoy various activities. One group of Japanese elderly women developed new hobbies of knitting after they survived the disaster back in 2011. Teddy Swaka started the program Yarn Alive claimed that she could go crazy if she did not have something to do ("Knitting is Helping Elderly Survivors"). Swaka believed knitting would elevated the survivors mood who had lost their loved ones, business, and home.

Knitting is one activity to keep the Japanese's day busy. Some people like to do activities that involves more body movements, such as the Japan Pom Pom. Japan Pom Pom is a group of cheerleaders performed by older Japanese women with the average age of 66, started by Fumie Takino. Even though she was the oldest, Takino is sure know how to have fun, as she is described as very cheerful and playful. Takino explained that everyone gets old, so might as well have some fun from it. ("Cheering on Aging Japan").

I think these women are very inspiring and admirable. They show that people can never really to be too old to do activities they love. Cheerleaders group run by senior citizen is definitely something that people do not see everyday, and it is very unique and inspiring. many of these elderly women refuse to laze around and insist they do some kind of enjoyable activity, which benefits them a lot, as keeping active increase their life span.

References

http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/elderly-people-japan

http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2010/05/31/cheering-on-an-aging-japan/

http://underthegables.blogspot.com/2012/03/knitting-is-helping-elderly-survivors.html

Japanese Elderly and Diabetes

Epidemiologists have been putting a particular interest in studying the case of diabetes among Japanese Americans, which interestingly is higher than both white/ Caucasian American and native population in Japan. According to Fujimoto, Leonetti, Kinyoun, Newell-Morris, Shuman, Stolov, and Wahl, 56% of Nisei (second generation Japanese immigrant) men between the age of 45-47 in the Washington have abnormal glucose tolerance an 20% have Type 1 diabetes. These rates is found to be over twice as high compared to general United States population.

Studies have shown that diabetes in Japanese American is connected with genetic and their diets. Lipson and Kato Palmer believed that Asians' genetic predisposition to diabetes is expressed when they begin eating typical American diet, and not expressed when they eat their native diet. Japanese American who are diagnosed with diabetes were found to consume more fat and animal protein than their non-diabetic counterparts.

Among Japanese American, along with diabetes, they have been reported to suffer from other complications such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, retinopathy, neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease.

Aside from above comorbidity, Japanese living in America have higher rates of getting stomach cancer compared to native Japanese, as shown in a study in Nisei in Hawaii done by the Honolulu Health Program and Japan Hawaii Cancer Study. Moreover, the elderly patient may be more vulnerable to most diabetes related complicated since these complications develop faster in older patients. Regardless of race and ethnicity, it is very common for older people to develop diabetes, and when it is left untreated, it significantly rises mortality rate. Additionally, there is no significant difference in term of diagnosis of between the elderly and the general population.

Kuakini Health System

Kuakini is a health care organization and the home of Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program and Kuakini Japan-Hawaii Cancer Study. The Honolulu Heart Program and The Japan Hawaii Cancer Study have been two sources of ongoing epidemiology research in diseases that occur in Japanese ancestry men living in Hawaii. Centered in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Kuakini Health System have made great contribution to the modern understanding of cardiocasular disease, stroke, cancer, and dementia, especially since coronary disease occur twice as much in Honolulu Japanese men.

The Kuakini Health System have many research program originated by Kuakini's principal investigators that have made contribution to Japanese living in Hawaii, especially the elderly. The main research programs are the Honolulu Heart Program (HHP), Honolulu-Asia Aging Study (HAAS), the Japan-Hawaii Cancer Study (JHCS), Kuakini Genetic Lab, and Kuakini Research Programs Summaries and Findings. The HHP has been doing research on cardiovascular diseases in approxi

mately 8000 Japanese or with Japanese ancestry living in Oahu island. The longitudinal study of HHD have contributed to physicians in treating patients with coronary disease. The HAAS studies the cause of dementia and continues to research variables connected with brain aging, dementia, and Parkinson disease through National Institute on aging sponsorship. The JHCS focus its studies on identifying pathological, biochemical, and other risk factor associated with the eevelopment of cancer in men and women of Japanese ancestry along with the HHP. Lastly, the Kuakini Genetic Lab is the most advance genetic research laboratory in Hawaii. The facility is where the HHP, HAAS, and the JHCS do their generic testing for their project.

Kuakini Genetic Lab

Aside for its research program, the Kuakini Health System have various services for the Japanese men and women, such cardiovascular services, geriatric medicine and care, pharmacy, radiation therapy, and many more that are beneficial for Japanese living in Hawaii. Kuakini Health System also offers community events, such as Health Fairs which includes the Great Aloha Run Health and Fitness Expo and Healthful Lifestyle Promotions which offer free health information. Moreover, Kuakini also attempts to improve the health status by giving health education and teach the community to be more health conscious.

Great Aloha Run

Nikkei in America

The term "Nikkei" has several meaning depends on the situations and environment. People are probably more familiar with the term Nikkei regarding the Japanese stock exchange. However, I would like to take about Nikkei the people. According to Discover Nikkei, a website dedicated to provide information and stories of older and current Japanese immigrants, Nikkei people are Japanese emigrant and their descendants who created communities throughout the world. What defines a Japanese as a Nikkei is unclear, as the matter is still debated, but it is suggested to be more than blood relation or affiliation Nikkei identity is symbolic, historic, and political. It involves processes of interpretation and synthesis between cultures. To be a Nikkei, one does not have to live outside Japan; there are Nikkei who return to Japan although they have separate identities with natives Japanese.

Discover Nikkei is a very interesting website for Japanese people in America, especially since they have profiles and interviews of several elderly Nikkei who was born in United States and their lives were heavily affected one way or another by the World War II. For instance, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston (77 0r 78) was born in Inglewood, California spent her early childhood in incarceration at World War II concentration camp in Manzanar, California. She managed to get a college degree and eventually married and have 3 children. She and her husband wrote a book about what her family had gone through before, during, and after World War II, which made into a TV movie.

There are many more interviews of other elderly Nikkei in Discover Nikkei. I find it ver interesting to hear the stories of their lives either migrating from Japan or being an American of Japanese descendants. Some if not most had rough childhood due to the World War II, and it seemed that their lives turned out pretty well. What fascinating is that readers could hear first hand interview of them talking about their life.

Japanese Elderly on Nuclear Crisis

The year 2011 took a terrible toll for Japan with Sendai earthquake and its aftermath, such as the Fukushima nuclear power plant crisis. While the whole wide world were concerned about the highly dangerous radiation exposure, a specific group of Japanese people volunteered themselves to clean up the mess and facing the danger of radiation: the elderly.

Yes, according to BBC News May 31st 2011, a group of more than 200 retirees--all above the age of 60 years old--volunteered themselves to clean up the radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Of course, they were not just any retirees; The Skilled Veteran Corps, as they called themselves, are made up of retired engineers and other professionals.

Why though, we let elderly people sacrifice themselves to what could be a suicidal mission? Shouldn't the younger generation who are fitter be the one who clean up the mess? The answer is because they are older. The Skilled Veteran Corps agreed that they should replace the younger Japanese, and let them rebuild Japan instead. The elderly thought that they could not let the younger generation taking the responsibilities of exposing themselves to radiation which could cause cancer. Yasuteru Yamada said that in his age of 72 year old, he would have 15 more years to live, while cancer could take 20 years to develop. Therefore, the elderly are actually less susceptible to cancer.



Yasuteru Yamada, a member of the Skilled Veteran Corps

Comment:

I think most people can agree it was very noble of the Skilled Veteran Corps to sacrifice themselves and to risk themselves of radiation exposure to spare the younger generation so they can rebuild their country. Such behavior can be easily seen as altruistic, but what interesting is that the fact the elderly had no interest of being hero. They claimed that they did it out of pure logic, not out of altruism, bravery, or even because they had the experience. So yes, they did the math; the elderly figured out they had lower chance of getting killed from cancer even if they were exposed to radiation. So I believe it is way smarter move for them to spare the younger and fitter generation to rebuild Japan. Moreover, these elderly volunteered themselves, so it was unnecessary to spend millions on labor when capable and competent workers ready to sacrifice themselves.
One aspect to look at is the fact that Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world. I think, even though these elders are made up of retired people above 60 years old, in their standard, they are still very competent and capable of doing such dangerous task. Perhaps 60 years old is not seen as very old in Japan. Lastly, I would like to say that I am impressed with the Japanese elderly. Whatever their reasons are to volunteer themselves, they put their life in danger and managed to get the job done.

Japanese American Healthy Aging

In 2009, the University of Southern California (USC) Davis School of Gerontology partnered up with the Institute of Healthy Aging at Keiro to underscore the school's interest with global aging. Through the Instititute of Healthy Aging at Keiro, Keiro Senior Healthcare is one of the biggest non profit organization which primary goal is to serve the Japanese American community in USA.

The Institute of Healthy Aging at Keiro promotes to senior citizen, especially the Japanese American to age gracefully. I believe it means that there is no stopping the process of aging, so the est way to deal with it is to be a healthy senior citizen.

According to Tomo Hirai of the News America Media, many of organizations that focus on health care are sensitive to Japanese American.

These organizations attempted to adopt strategies of healthy aging in concern of senior citizen of America. Eileen Crimmins, the USC AARP Chair of Gerontology stated the differences between Japanese and American aging process lies in several factors, such as diseases, culture, and smoking. Compare to Japan, America's life expectancy is considered poor.

Through Keiro Healthcare program, it is expected that American can learn the aging strategies of Japan. While aging in Japan is proven as successful, considering Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world, I believe thanks to (treatment wise) senior citizens of Japanese American has better service in healthcare thanks to Keiro Healthcare Program. Aside from Keiro, other organizations that provide sufficient care for the elderly is Kokoro Assisted Living, which offers classes to senior citizen, such as computer class, calligraphy, and Japanese tea ceremony, basically programs that can provide "genki" living (genki means well in Japanese).

References

http://www.usc.edu/dept/gero/news/2011/news0420_1.shtml

http://newamericamedia.org/2011/10/health-aging.php

http://www.keiro.org/

Rural Aging for the Elderly in Japan

Japan has been know to be a country with the longest life expectancy in the world. Japanese women can be expected to live until the age of 86, and and 79 for men. Japan currently has the estimation of 127 million people, in which more than 20% are at the age of 65 and above. According to the Statistic Bureau of Japan, if the trend continues, it is projected that by the end of 2050, the number will rise to 40%.

The number seems okay when the elderly in Japan is treated kindly, but unfortunately that is not the case that the Japanese is having. The elderly in Japan are reported not having enough funding to take care of their life. Acording to Stoller in Worlds of Differences, elderly are often a disadvantages over the life course, because inequality is higher among people over the age of 65 than any other age group (27.). I suppose insufficient healthcare service for the elderly is not really a new issue Catherine Makino said that the Japanese government is unable to keep up with the needs of adequate and affordable elderly health care. The lack of appropriate health care facilities could be influenced by the fact that traditionally, the children and grandchildren are expected to take care of their elders. Even so, it is still difficult for them to take care of their elderly parents and grandparents with insufficient of healthcare and nursing facility. Some Japanese families are still lucky enough to get their healthcare, such as Ms. Tanya from Tochigi, Japan. In her blog, Elder Care, she describes the healthcare system is not very good due to the rising population of the elderly. Her mother manage to get several service, but is dismayed for the amount of money she has to pay.

Reference

ipsn=49501ews.net/news.asp?idnews

http://basementgeographer.blogspot.com/2011/01/rural-aging-in-japan-and-population.html

http://tttl1998.blogspot.com/2008/05/elder-care.html

Gibson, Stoller. Advantage of Using Life Course Framework in Studying Aging . Worlds of Difference: Inequality in The Aging Experience. 3ed.2000. (27)