The WHO’s most recent report released in May 2017 indicates that Japan is continuing to lead the world in life expectancy, with an average life expectancy of 83.7 years. Japan has been ranked as the country with the longest life expectancy for more than 20 years. It is hard to pinpoint a single factor as the reason for Japan’s longevity. The Japanese have high living standards and an advanced universal health care system, which all contribute to the Japanese people’s longevity.
In addition, the WHO reported that Japan also leads the world in the longest average healthy life expectancy, at 74.9 years. Although Japan tops the list, the Japanese government is working to further decrease the number of years the elderly live in ill health, which is currently about 9 years. Japan’s government has recently been placing a large focus on increasing the life expectancy and improving the quality of life in the country since the population is decreasing rapidly.