Japan's oldest person is a 114-year-old retired doctor who carried an Olympic torch in 2021
Kagawa, a symbol of Japan's extraordinary longevity, graduated from medical school before World War II, served at a hospital in Osaka during the war, and later ran her family's clinic as an obstetrician and gynecologist. She retired at 86.
At 109, Kagawa became one of the oldest torchbearers in Olympic history during the Tokyo 2021 torch relay.
'I don't have any,' Kagawa told TOS News in 2023 when asked about the secret to her longevity. 'I just play every day. My energy is my greatest asset. I go where I want, eat what I want and do what I want. I'm free and independent.'
Her predecessor as Japan's oldest person led a similarly active life. Born in 1911, Hiroyasu studied art in Tokyo, taught in Hiroshima Prefecture and raised three children.
She died in a nursing home in Oita Prefecture, where she spent her days reading newspapers, sketching and playing card games.
'I am grateful to be healthy,' she said on her 113th birthday.
Despite an overall population decline, Japan's elderly population continues to grow. As of September 1, 2024, a record 36 million people — 29% of the population — were aged 65 or older, the highest proportion of seniors in the world. Those aged 80 and above now make up 10% of the population, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
There are 95,119 centenarians across the country.
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Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
Nine health lessons Britons can learn from the Japanese diet
With its high life expectancy and low obesity rates, there's a lot we can learn from Japan. It's the land of tofu, sushi, and green tea and its diet is renowned for supporting longevity and weight management. Plus, recent research conducted at the Japan Institute for Health Security and published this year shows that those who eat traditional Japanese foods are likely to be happier than those who follow a western diet. 'It's a very balanced diet with small amounts of carbohydrates, sugar and salt, alongside good sources of meat, fish and vegetables,' says Reiko Hashimoto, the founder of Hashi Cooking, a Japanese cookery school in London. 'Whilst sushi is the national dish, we actually eat a massive variety of food in Japan – from katsu pork to fresh vegetable pancakes. I think it's this variety, plus the habits we grow up with which makes our diet so healthy and happy.' So, what health lessons can us Britons learn from the Japanese diet? Include fermented vegetables in salads The Japanese diet is rich in fermented foods – ranging from pickles and sauces to pastes and drinks. Miso paste – an umami(rich, meaty and savoury) seasoning made from fermented soybeans – is a key ingredient in soups, ramen, and fish and meat dishes, whilst soy sauce is a staple in many meals. ' Fermented foods contain probiotics which are beneficial bacteria for the gut microbiome. They boost the diversity of your gut microbes and the more diverse your gut microbiome, the better your immune system,' explains Nichola Ludlam-Raine, a registered dietitian and author of How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed. 'They have the potential to boost your mental health via the gut-brain axis too.' In o ne 2025 review in Mental Health Research, 88 healthy volunteers were given probiotics and the researchers found they had the potential to reduce negative mood after just two weeks. Ludlam-Raine suggests boosting your fermented food intake by adding kefir to your breakfast, or sauerkraut or kimchi to your salads. Eat more oily fish 'It's very uncommon to find a Japanese person that doesn't like seafood or fish. It's such a large part of the cuisine and culture,' says Victoria Lindsay, a registered dietitian who worked in London and now lives and works in Tokyo. 'Plus it's an island country so the seafood is fresh and there's a large variety on offer.' Salmon and mackerel are particularly popular. 'They're a great source of lean protein and also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are good for the heart,' Lindsay explains. 'It's great to alternate between these oily fish and more traditional protein sources like chicken, beef and pork.' Numerous studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids help to alleviate elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Meanwhile, in several studies, their anti-inflammatory action has been shown to help protect the joints of people with rheumatoid arthritis. Add tofu to your meat dishes 'In England, soy-based foods are seen primarily as an alternative to meat and are rarely consumed by meat-eaters. Yet in Japan, soy-based foods and meats are often mixed together,' observes Lindsay. Tofu and edamame beans (two popular Japanese soy foods) are both great sources of plant-based protein. A 100g serving of tofu contains around 12g of protein, whilst the same helping of edamame beans contains almost 15g. Research shows that plant-based protein may be better for the heart than animal protein, especially that from processed red meat. A 2016 study compared animal and plant protein intake and found that those who ate more animal protein had a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality. Meanwhile, i n 2020, researchers analysed data from more than 20,000 men and women in the US and found that, over a 20-year period, those who ate the most tofu and other soy products had the lowest risk of heart disease. If you're interested in adding more soy to your diet, Ludlam-Raine suggests adding tofu to your curries and stir fries, edamame beans to salads, or miso paste (made from fermented soy beans) to your winter soups. Swap your daily coffee for green tea Green tea is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture. The vast majority of people drink it regularly – including children, Lindsay says. 'At my daughter's nursery, it's very common for children to be given small amounts of unsweetened caffeine-free tea from around nine months old,' she explains. In the UK, we're prone to enriching our cups of coffee or English breakfast with milk, sugar, sweetener, and flavourings. However, Japanese green tea is often drunk as it is. 'Obviously, the key benefit of this is that you're consuming drinks without any added sugar,' Lindsay says. 'Green tea is also really high in anti-oxidants, especially catechins, which have anti-inflammatory effects.' One 2022 study found that drinking green tea may benefit cognition, mood and brain function, whilst a review from the same year investigated its ability to boost metabolism for inactive people when paired with aerobic exercise. Whilst English breakfast and other black teas have unquestionable health benefits too, green tea is often considered to have a slight edge because of its higher concentration of catechins. If you can't stomach a mug of plain green tea, Ludlam-Raine advises trying a lemon green tea or another more palatable variety. Season your meals with ginger Ginger is one of Japan's most popular spices, alongside pepper and wasabi. It's a staple in both savoury and sweet dishes – often added to rice bowls, gyoza dumplings, and fish dishes. 'It has renowned anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties,' Ludlam-Raine explains. These powerful effects are down to gingerol, the main bioactive compound in ginger. A comprehensive review in Nutrients detailed how it can reduce morning sickness, boost digestive function, and even possibly help to reduce cancer risk, due to its various anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. 'I don't tend to recommend taking ginger capsules,' Ludlam-Raine says, 'but you can add ginger to all sorts of meals, including porridge, overnight oats, salad dressings, smoothies, and soups.' Bolster your meals with a variety of mushrooms Mushrooms are a staple ingredient in Japanese cuisine. Earthy and meaty shiitake mushrooms are among the most popular, whilst the delicate and crunchy enoki varieties are used in a range of dishes. Whilst we favour chestnut, button and portobello in the UK, their health benefits are just as potent. 'Variety is key because most mushrooms are a great source of fibre and B vitamins, but each one has a slightly different nutritional profile. The key is including them all in your diet and eating them regularly,' Ludlam-Raine says. Because of their beta-glucan content, they can boost the immune system and they may even promote longevity, according to a large population study conducted in 2021. 'Consider adding whole mushrooms to your stir fries, stews, and even to your breakfast. They're great on avocado toast,' Ludlam-Raine says. Swap your biscuits and chocolate for rice crackers Whilst Japanese people are partial to sweet snacks like mochi (chewy rice cakes filled with a sweet paste) and KitKats, they have a 'lower threshold for sweet foods and added sugars', according to Lindsay. In fact, she recalls her Japanese friend telling her that it's a huge compliment if you serve someone a dessert and they say: 'That's delicious and it isn't too sweet'. Whilst Japanese children enjoy a sweet treat, it's less common to give them biscuits, crisps or chocolate, and to feed them rice crackers instead, Lindsay explains. A particularly popular rice cracker in Japan is 'senbei'. They're low in fat and free from artificial preservatives and additives, being made primarily from rice and baked over charcoal. We know our penchant for sweet snacks is damaging for our health, with countless studies linking sugary foods to increased weight and adverse cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. It may be worth occasionally swapping out your afternoon chocolate bar for a few rice crackers. Eat until you're 80 per cent full 'Hara hachi bu' is a traditional Japanese practice where people stop eating when they're 80 per cent full. It encourages 'intuitive eating which helps you tune into your body's hunger and satiety signals', says Lindsay. 'We know that it takes around 20 minutes for the brain to realise that it's full so by eating mindfully in this way, you're less likely to over-eat,' explains Ludlam-Raine. Research supports this philosophy. A 2018 review in Current Obesity Reports found that a mindful eating approach such as hara hachi bu can play an important role in weight management and treating obesity. Meanwhile, in Okinawa – a Japanese island where the philosophy originated – residents have far fewer age-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, according to a 2024 study. Whilst more research is needed to confirm whether hara hachi bu is the sole driver behind these health outcomes, it's notable that many residents who practice it tend to have lower rates of disease. Serve smaller portions 'In restaurants, particularly when you're outside of the major tourist areas in Japan, you'll notice immediately that portion sizes are significantly smaller,' Lindsay says. 'Obviously smaller portion sizes directly lead to consuming fewer calories. This is key – especially when people aren't listening to their internal hunger and satiety cues very well and are just trying to eat all the food on their plate.' To quantify this, Lindsay has investigated the discrepancies in calorie intake between Japan and the UK. She found that the average Japanese adult eats around 1,900 calories per day, whilst 'some studies have estimated that the average calorie intake for adults in the UK may be as high as 3,000 per day for men and 2,400 per day for women.' Meanwhile, the NHS recommends a daily intake of 2,500 calories for men and 2,000 per day for women - much more than the average Japanese adult. Serving smaller portion sizes, coupled with the philosophy of 'hara hachi bu' means that Japanese people are more in tune with their hunger cues and tend to eat less calories a day as a result.
Times
2 days ago
- Times
Japanese entrepreneur bottles up ‘healing' waters of ancient springs
In Japan, if one is stressed or troubled, a time-honoured cure is to head to an onsen, a hot spring, and have a soak in the company of strangers. Until now, the joy of Japan's native spa culture could be enjoyed only in one of the 3,000 onsen establishments in the archipelago itself. Now, however, Naoki Mita, an entrepreneur, believes he can bottle the unique springs and export the experience. Mita's company Le Furo has developed a method to extract the mineral content found in hot springs, concentrate it 10,000 times and store it in bottles or small tanks. Called Craft Onsen, it can be added to fresh water to recreate spring water, which has a range of purported health benefits. NORIKO HAYASHI/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES Le Furo wants to use that technology to open onsen facilities in Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Gulf, but with a twist. Instead of the enormous volumes of water used at onsen in Japan, the planned spas would be hammam-style steam baths. Customers would don spa wear instead of bathing nude as is the custom in Japan. 'The technology is very similar to a coffee machine,' says Mita. 'Instead of beans, we use pebbles and stones. We blend them and then change the pressure, temperature, and, most importantly, PH levels. Then we have high-density liquid onsen, which is our original technology.' A volcanic archipelago, Japan is poor in natural resources but rich in geothermal activity, with about 28,000 hot springs, each with a unique mix of minerals from the local mountains and soil. Certified by the environment ministry, many are tapped by municipal governments and open to bathers at onsen resort inns. With minerals such as iron, zinc and magnesium, the waters are believed to de-stress, beautify skin and help with conditions like neuralgia. NORIKO HAYASHI FOR THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY IMAGES SVEN HAGOLANI/GETTY IMAGES Mita was working as an investment banker who dealt in natural resources like oil and gas. He happened to be soaking in a spring not long after the 2011 earthquake that devastated northeastern Japan when he hit upon the idea of commodifying traditional bathing. Mita founded Le Furo in 2013 and has since established Craft Onsen factories and a steam bath spa in Tokyo's Azabujuban neighborhood. He wants to open more plants across Japan and get the Japanese government to invest in his company. 'I want to contribute to the country rather than my personal profit,' says Mita. 'We have few natural resources, which led to war in the past. I also want to contribute to global wellness and wellbeing, so I think onsen can become a natural resource.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Northumberland veteran's VJ Day memories of the war in the East
At the age of 17, Tony Noakes had to learn how to fight and survive a war against both the Japanese army and gruelling conditions in the jungles of many veterans, the 99-year-old is reluctant to go into too much detail of what he experienced during World War Two but, amid the heat, humidity, tiring marches and the ever-present threat of disease, he can recall his mission very clearly."You moved along… and either shot the Japanese, or took them prisoners. They fought to the death." Mr Noakes, who was visited by Royal Marines at his care home in Northumberland to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, was part of 42 Commando unit sent to the war in the East. He was a lorry driver's mate in London in 1943, but set his heart on joining the war effort to follow in his father's footsteps."My dad was a marine in the First World War so I just followed on. I went down to Chatham and never looked back." After intense training in Scotland, Mr Noakes and his comrades in 42 Commando unit only discovered they were destined for Asia as they drew tropical kit at the Quartermaster's stores."You suddenly found yourself on a troopship, going through the Mediterranean and heading for Suez. Morale? Keen as mustard," he elite troops, his unit would have expected to be in the thick of the fighting against the Japanese whose forces had swept west across Burma (now Myanmar) and gained a foothold in British-held India.42 Commando would see service in both countries, including a series of amphibious landings on the Burmese coastline. Like all the men of the 14th Army, they faced two adversaries - the Japanese and the jungle. Fighting 'on aspirins' Malaria, dysentery, hepatitis and dengue fever - to name a few of the prevalent diseases - caused more casualties than enemy bullets."It was bloody awful," Mr Noakes said."There were a lot taken down by sickness. You soldiered on, on aspirins and things like that."At the war's end, there was no quick demobilisation for the young veteran, still only 19. After further dangerous missions in the Middle and Far East, he was chosen to be the man who symbolically lowered the union flag at the end of the British mandate in Palestine in 1948. Back home, he built a 30-year career as a police officer in what are now the Durham and Cleveland police force areas, rising to chief inspector. His son John said of his father's war service: "There was hand-to-hand fighting."Dad's resolve, fitness and determination to survive through those times is beyond comprehension today."I would like people just to spend a few moments to think about what that meant for the future of our world, in the hope that we never see such conflicts again." As for Tony Noakes, on VJ Day 2025 he said: "All the death and destruction. The misery. "I did my bit, but a lot of the poor buggers are lying under the ground. I think it's important to keep their memories. "There should be a day to remind everybody." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
