Latest news with #Okinawans
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Nutritionist shares 5 Japanese habits Indians can adopt for long and healthy life: 'Their meals include small portions'
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Mumbai-based clinical nutritionist Prachi Mandholia discussed what India could learn from Japan's approach to 'ageing gracefully'. She highlighted how Japan's culture is deeply rooted in health-supporting habits, which we can also emulate. She said, 'To truly emulate Japan's success in longevity, India doesn't need to copy, but adapt. Our own heritage, if blended with the wisdom of practices like those in Japan, offers a powerful formula for 'healthspan', not just lifespan. The future of health lies in small, consistent habits. Whether it's slowing down during meals, walking more, reconnecting with nature, or finding joy in everyday rituals, longevity begins with the choices we make today. Because a longer life is only worth it when it's also a healthier, happier one.' Prachi said, 'Japanese meals include small portions of rice, seasonal vegetables, soy products, fish, seaweed, and fermented foods like miso and natto, all of which are rich in antioxidants, fibre, and essential nutrients. India, too, has a treasure trove of traditional dietary wisdom rooted in Ayurveda and regional culinary diversity. Lentils, millets, greens, fermented foods like dosa and kanji, cold-pressed oils, and immune-boosting spices like turmeric, ginger, and cumin are already part of our heritage.' Yet, modern lifestyles and processed food consumption have distanced many from these healthful roots, and to reverse this, we need to revive traditional food practices, eat seasonally, and simplify meals, Prachi said. She added, 'Replacing packaged snacks with roasted chana or sprouts, cooking with ghee in moderation, and prioritising home-cooked meals are simple yet powerful steps toward longevity.' Prachi said, 'The Okinawans in Japan follow the principle of 'Hara Hachi Bu', which means eating until you're 80 percent full.' This prevents overeating and reduces metabolic stress on the body, she added. 'In India, where celebratory eating is common, especially during festivals and gatherings, embracing portion control and mindful eating habits could help reduce rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Simple changes like eating slowly, avoiding second servings, and listening to the body's hunger cues can make a meaningful difference,' Prachi said. She added that in Japan, physical activity is not limited to gyms – daily walking, cycling, gardening, and even floor sitting keep the body in motion. Movement is organically integrated into everyday life, she said. Prachi said, 'India has many traditional movement practices, such as yoga, classical dance, and even household chores that involve bending, squatting, and stretching. Encouraging regular physical activity in natural settings, such as morning walks in parks, practising surya namaskar, or even tending to a home garden, can greatly enhance flexibility, cardiovascular health, and overall fitness.' According to Prachi, a core reason for Japan's healthy ageing is the concept of Ikigai, one's reason for being. She explained it as 'having a sense of purpose, staying socially connected, and being valued by the community play a vital role in emotional and mental well-being'. 'In India, our family structures and spiritual practices already provide strong social ties. Strengthening community bonds, encouraging the elderly to remain socially active, and promoting lifelong learning can enhance life satisfaction and mental longevity,' Prachi said. She added that the Japanese embrace rituals that promote calmness, such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing): 'These mindful practices lower stress and promote mental clarity.' India has its own arsenal of wellness rituals, meditation, chanting, Ayurveda, and temple visits that can be woven into daily life, Prachi said, adding, 'Spending time in nature, disconnecting from screens, and engaging in spiritual or artistic practices can help manage stress and foster inner peace.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Asahi Shimbun
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Ishiba apologizes to Tamaki for Nishida's slur about Okinawa
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 20 apologized to Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki for the derogatory comments uttered by a ruling party lawmaker about a war memorial in the southern island prefecture. 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest apologies as president of the Liberal Democratic Party," Ishiba said at a meeting with Tamaki at the prime minister's office. 'There was a deeply regrettable statement made recently that caused great offense to the people of Okinawa.' The offending remarks were made earlier this month by LDP Upper House member Shoji Nishida about the Himeyuri-no-to memorial, which honors female student nurses and teachers killed in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. Nishida angered Okinawans and the broader public by describing the exhibits at the memorial as 'terrible' and an example of 'rewriting history.' Nishida later apologized for his remarks about the memorial but continued to insist that educators in Okinawa Prefecture were distorting the history of the fierce battle toward the end of World War II. The memorial is a powerful symbol of peace and anti-war sentiment in Okinawa Prefecture. During the meeting, Ishiba told Tamaki that such tragedies must never be allowed to happen again. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tamaki acknowledged Ishiba's remarks, saying the prime minister had pledged to prevent similar inappropriate statements from his government and party. Tamaki visited Ishiba to present him with an Okinawan Kariyushi shirt, promoting the local textile as part of a regional PR campaign.
DW
19-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Okinawans split over whether US bases are worth the burden – DW – 05/19/2025
Japan pays the US $1.4 billion each year for the bases in Okinawa, which underpin their military alliance. But does the presence of American troops actually benefit the local population? Okinawa, Japan's only subtropical prefecture, has long been popular with tourists who flock to the island for its warm weather, pristine beaches and turquoise seas. But beyond the picturesque Pacific landscapes and visitors enjoying water sports, the islands are also known for the heavy US military presence since the end of World War II. Tokyo views the more than 30 American military facilities that cover around 25% of Okinawan land as crucial to safeguarding national and regional security and underpinning the US-Japanese alliance. To many Okinawans, however, the US presence feels more like a painful legacy of an occupation that keeps the island and its residents in chains. The US occupied Okinawa after WWII, returning it to Japan in 1972 Image: Chermaine Lee/DW A history of anti-base sentiment Just weeks before my trip to Okinawa, multiple sexual assault allegations against US military personnel were exposed. The reports brought up painful memories of the 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old Okinawan girl by three US soldiers. Over 80,000 Okinawans took to the streets at the time to protest the US military presence. The arrest of an American suspected of killing a local woman in 2016 also sparked massive protests. Under intense pressure, Japan agreed a deal with the US to return the land used by the Futenma base to Okinawa. While about 4,000 members of the US Marine Corps have been transferred to Guam, thousands more remain, and the return of the land is still very much a pipe dream for Okinawans. When I passed by the site at Henoko Bay, about a dozen protesters had braved the rain to stage a sit-in against the military facilities. Senaga Kazuo, one of the protesters, said they come every weekday to "prevent the expansion of US bases." "Women in Okinawa were sexually assaulted; Kadena and Futenma [bases] created a lot of noise…US [soldiers] come to Okinawa for the US, not for Japan or Okinawa," he told me. A public poll from two local universities in 2023 showed that 70% of Okinawans found the concentration of US military bases in the prefecture to be unfair. Despite the public discontent, US and Japan's defense cooperation is as strong as ever. In February, US President Donald Trump's administration renewed the security pact with Japan amid the growing threat from North Korea and escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. More than a dispute over islands — Japan's fear of China To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Do the US bases protect Okinawa? Expecting the same anger from other locals, I headed into Okinawa's main city Naha. The people I spoke to there, however, were mostly indifferent to the US military — with some even supportive. A female shopkeeper at a local jewellery stand, who preferred to remain anonymous — a sign of the sensitivity of the issue among locals — told me that she thinks the US would protect them if a war breaks out. This view was shared by fashion store worker Ms Kina, who also withheld her first name. She told me that she used to hate the US military, but now she hopes it can protect the island in potential conflicts. Despite the anger provoked by the sexual assault cases and crimes committed by some American soldiers, some Okinawans still don't want the US forces to leave. "Violence happens everywhere, but it's not a reason to drive anyone away," Meikawa Suiko, a silver-haired restaurant owner, told me. While the US-Japan pact ensures the American military would help defend Japan, would local Okinawans be a priority for protection? Image: Kyodo/IMAGO Kozue Akibayashi, professor at the Doshisha University specializing in militarism and gender, told me that's a false narrative that the Japanese government has long fed Okinawans. "The US military is not here to protect the Okinawans. But [the narrative] is like a fantasy floating around … It's a very deep-rooted myth, not only with Okinawans, but worldwide — that militarization is the only method to assure your safety," she said. Akibayashi cited the failed evacuation plan right before the US invasion at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945 that resulted in 100,000 civilian deaths. "Those [plans] didn't work and [Okinawans] were not prioritized," she said. In late March, Japan launched a plan on how to evacuate some 120,000 people from Okinawa in case of a war involving China, which has multiple disputes in the region, including over Taiwan and the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands which are claimed by Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei. The US bases do make Okinawa a target for China, according to Paul O'Shea, senior lecturer at the Centre for East and Southeast Asian Studies at Sweden's Lund University. "There are hundreds, maybe thousands of Chinese missiles trained on US bases on Okinawa. This is a well-understood and inevitable cost of the bases," he told me. However, O'Shea pointed out that the bases also have a deterrent effect and "contribute to maintaining the peace." The presence of US forces and hardware in Okinawa is a highly divisive issue Image: Chermaine Lee/DW Economic burden or lifeline? In addition to the security and diplomatic benefits, the Japanese government says the US military bases in Okinawa are justified because of the economic lifeline they provide to the region. Despite its popularity with tourists, Okinawa is Japan's poorest prefecture. Average incomes are only 70% of the national average and job opportunities are limited, contributing to a poverty rate of 35%. The prefecture, which accounts for less than 1% of Japan's total land area, hosts around 29,000 American soldiers, over 70% of the total stationed in the East Asian country. Japan currently pays $1.4 billion (€1.24 billion) to the US on average each year for the troops and bases, the biggest overseas deployment of American troops. Trump has been pushing Tokyo to pay even more. Despite these issues, the bases in Okinawa have created jobs and economic benefits for the islands: the American Village shopping district generates 33.6 billion yen (about $231 million, €205 million), while over 3,300 people are employed in the area, according to government data from 2015. Wataru Nishino, who works at a tourist center near the American Village, told me that these benefits do help boost America's image, especially among young people who "don't have such bad impressions of the US military because we have more chances to get to know them." "My friend's father works on the base, while another is mixed race [of Japanese and American descent]. They create job opportunities for us — if our English is good we can work on the base," he said. But Okinawa's mayor Denny Tamaki, an opponent of the bases, has said that the jobs they provide only contribute to about 5% of Okinawans' income, while the land the bases occupy, if returned, could generate nearly $7 billion (€6.2 billion). "Why is Okinawa the poorest prefecture? The land, labor and resources spent on maintaining the bases could have been used in other more productive ways, and over time, Okinawa's economy could have grown beyond the bases," O'Shea said. Edited by: Karl Sexton
Irish Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Country with the highest life expectancy - it's all down to their diet
Ever pondered why some nations have a longer life expectancy than others? Japan tops the list of G7 countries when it comes to life expectancy at birth, meaning that on average, folks there outlive those in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US. An expert has shed light on how diet plays a significant role in these stats. The elevated life expectancy is largely down to fewer deaths from ischemic heart disease and cancers, which can be attributed to a lower obesity rate, less consumption of red meat, and higher intake of fish and plant-based foods. Dr Martin Juneau, a cardiologist, highlighted the crucial role diet plays in the longevity of the Japanese population. The heart specialist pointed out that the Japanese consume far less meat, dairy products, and sugars, but more fish, seafood, rice, soybeans, and tea. For instance, the Japanese eat nearly half as much meat as Canadians do, but twice the amount of fish and seafood - and a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids is linked with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease. Japan's low obesity rate also plays a pivotal role, as obesity is a significant risk factor for ischemic heart disease and several types of cancers, Dr Juneau elaborated. One reason Japan has a low prevalence of obesity-related diseases is because its people consume relatively fewer sugars and starches compared to other nations, reports Surrey Live. Okinawa, a Japanese island at the country's southern tip, is renowned as a "Blue Zone" where folks enjoy some of the world's longest lifespans. Dan Buettner and his research team have found out that not only do Okinawans suffer less from cancer, heart disease, and dementia compared to Americans but also the island's women live longer than any others across the globe. The secret to their enduring health? A plant-heavy diet, according to Buettner, whose insights reveal that local diets are brimming with nutrient-rich, low-calorie staple meals such as stir-fried veggies, sweet potatoes, and tofu. The longevity expert pointed out that the consumption of soy-based foods like tofu and miso soup plays a significant role in ensuring healthy living. These fermented titbits help keep the digestive system in check and tofu's flavonoids could be vital in protecting the heart and combating breast cancer. Physical activity through gardening keeps Okinawans sprightly, providing an abundance of fresh veggies while their minimalistic homes encourage frequent sitting down and standing up, bolstering the lower body strength and balance of the elderly.
Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Expert shares nine habits of people who live to 100
There are five regions globally where people tend to outlive the rest of us, and these areas have been dubbed 'blue zones'. Explorer Dan Buettner and his team of scientists identified these longevity hotspots. Their mission was to find communities worldwide where people not only lived longer but also enjoyed a high quality of life in their twilight years. They pinpointed five such regions: Sardinia in Italy, Loma Linda in the US, Ikaria in Greece, Nicoya in Costa Rica, and Okinawa in Japan. Despite being scattered across different continents, the inhabitants of these regions share traits that contribute to their long and fulfilling lives. Buettner firmly believes that their secret to longevity lies in their lifestyle choices and dietary habits, leading him to compile a list of common factors found across these five communities, , reports Surrey Live. Here are Dan's top 9 tips for a longer life. Buettner noted that the world's longest-living individuals don't "pump iron, run marathons, or join gyms". Instead, they reside in environments that promote daily physical activity, such as maintaining gardens and performing household chores manually rather than using machines. According to Buettner, this can add up to seven years to your life expectancy. While we all grapple with stress, those who clock up the most birthdays have routines to "shake off" the tension. For example, Ikarians catch forty winks, Sardinians enjoy a tipple during happy hour, and Loma Linda's Adventists turn to prayer. This is key as stress can trigger chronic inflammation. Folks residing in regions boasting the highest life expectancies typically tuck into their smallest meal in the late afternoon or evening, and then don't raid the fridge again that day. Okinawans live by the mantra 'hara hachi bu', which translates to halting your munching when your belly is 80% full. According to Buettner, this "could be the difference between losing weight or gaining it,". For the majority of centenarians, their plates are piled high with beans, while meat only makes an appearance about five times per month. Apart from the Adventists, folks in the other Blue Zones enjoy a moderate and regular tipple. The secret, Buettner reckons, is to savour one-to-two glasses of vino daily with mates and meals. Over in Sardinia, they sip on Cannonau wine, known for its flavonoid content that packs an antioxidant punch. Studies have revealed that showing up at faith-based gatherings four times a month can tack on an extra four to 14 years to your lifespan. It's no fluke that all but five of the 263 centenarians interviewed by Buettner and his crew were part of a religious community. Folks who enjoy longer lifespans often put families at the centre of their lives, with grandparents and parents living close by or even under the same roof. People in these communities make a dedicated commitment to their life partners and pour "invest in their children with time and love" into their family life. Individuals blessed with longevity tend to surround themselves with friends who encourage good health habits, vital because studies have proven that behaviours like smoking, obesity, happiness, and loneliness can actually spread through social groups.
