Four Japanese rules to live past 100 - BBC REEL

Okinawa, long known as the island of the immortals, is home to the highest concentration of centenarians in Japan. The village of Kitanakagusuku ranks first in Japanese women's longevity. What is it about this island that makes its inhabitants live a longer and happier life?
Video by: Shiho Fukada and Keith Bedford
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[@letBIGGIErest]

1. Diet 2. Physical Activity 3. Self-Help 4. Mutual Help System

[@carpenterfamily6198]

3:00

[@claudekingstan4084]

Japanese Diet aka Food. Not dieting to lose weight.

[@TheOneCleanHippy]

5. Universal healthcare

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@TheOneCleanHippy Good point!

[@howellwong11]

I got the first 3 and I don't need No. 4 because I'm an introvert. I also need and have good medical care since I started Nos. 1, 2, and 3 late at 60 years of age. I'm 88 years old, so I got many more years to go.

[@yhonezjorsie7473]

The 81 year old that did the split is unbelievable I thought she was just in her early 50s 😳 meanwhile im in my early 40s but i look 👀 like im in my 80s😭

[@SSs-ch4ey]

Lol hope she sees this

[@Eusantdac]

She just touched her nose with her foot at 81. Okay ... time to re-evaluate things lmfao

[@lookup7055]

😂

[@hbWhovian]

There's the Okinawan tradition of Kajimaya- where they celebrate their 97th birthday as a return to childhood. It's from folklore of an agreement between the sky and earth gods to let humans live on earth. So these 'youth' dress up and have festivities to celebrate this achievement and get to live another few years to boot. Sounds good me.

[@saphirstone17]

My father would appreciate and love it! He turns 90 this eastern and would enjoy it too😊

[@arolemaprarath6615]

@@saphirstone17 Please treasure and honour your father for as long as he live. Spend more time and be appreciative that he is still there, alive and healthy because you never know when would Grim the Reaper comes. I used to have my great-grandmother when I was a kid, she reached the age of 103 before she passed of natural causes. I remembered her vividly. Elderly people are interesting. Many stories to tell and knowledge/wisdom to provide. Bless them!

[@danielwhyatt3278]

That sounds just wonderful. I hope I can experience that someday in the faaaar off future.

[@andrewsutton6640]

I guess you can technically be a teenager again if you live to 113-119;-)

[@Showmetheevidence-]

I was wondering why they said 97 years old the village sent a photographer etc - well now I know :)

[@LearningwithLani]

I’ve noticed in all the Asian countries that I’ve been to and even in Mexico, the cultures are so social in that there’s outdoor park meetups where people of all ages exercise or dance together. When I was younger growing up in Chicago, I noticed that old people would meet up at the local McDonald’s to socialize. It’s definitely not the same as being outdoors and working out together but I feel like it’s the need to feel apart of a social group or the community in general that keeps us sane.

[@xalxvx]

oh definitely lol living in an asian country myself, as a child i remember always joining my grandma to her daily elderly exercising community every morning before school started! it was fun😆 my mom on the other hand just likes to go to any park every other weekend bc there will always just be a group of people doing exercises with music everywhere that you could just join in in an instant with no strings attached

[@BestMods168]

That's because its not safe to be an Asian American in the US.

[@danielwhyatt3278]

I’m definitely in agree about that. From what I’ve seen, we don’t seem to have this a lot in the UK for the very elderly (un,es being at 26yo I haven’t noticed) so it would be good to have A LOT more of this.

[@carolineeising717]

It's also countries that have a strong emphasis on pedestrian culture, walking places and strolling and having open places for people to gather that people can walk to from their house, instead of just taking the car to different buildings. I often seen migrant families walking together to the park, the whole family, or walking to the shops to get groceries all as a group with the family all chatting, and wonder why Western families treat that as a chore not an outing.

[@captainmcduckyYT]

Yep. I saw this in Western countries that you guys live very isolated lives. America is tolerable but in Europe they miss out on the small talks too, it's so weird and makes you feel lonely sometimes.

[@baligirl5472]

My great grandma still lives and now she 105yo. She still a farmer and active

[@mizenglish]

I feel very fortunate to have spent three years of my life in this place. How I miss my oji-sans and obaa-sans on Kitanaka.

[@masterthotslayer9601]

Okay Colonizer

[@masterthotslayer9601]

LagiNaLangAko23 Colonization and Racism is two different things,....why don’t u use ur noodle

[@marshmelows]

Happy for you. Weird that it says there is 2 comments here but I don't find any

[@deadby15]

So those "Moai" groups are open to even foreigners? How impressive!

[@witheringliberal2794]

It’s really being a part of things. Staying relevant. In the West we tend to put our elderly out to pasture.

[@SSs-ch4ey]

Lol you think Okinawa represents all of "the East"

[@lotuseater7247]

East do that too.

[@lulumoon6942]

Agreed, and it's a precious information loss for us To be so short sighted!

[@BestMods168]

There is no "we." Only you and your kind.

[@PRDreams]

I am neighbors with my parents. They are in their 70's. I moved from a $50k job to a farm in order to help them in their old age. When they kick the bucket, I will lose it all as they put the house under my sister's name because she is "the successful one". I came back to them to make sure they are ok. Work sun up to sun down on everything they ask. They see my decision as a failure. Once we are done here, me and my husband will go on to help his parents next if they are still alive. Eventually, we will retire in Mexico or some other cheap place. Don't blame the adult children of the West for leaving their parents out to pasture. They are ungrateful bitches and encourage their abandonment at every turn only to complaint that no one visits them.

[@holav3482]

Just pay attention at 5:19.. to able to see 81 year old doing that. I am inspired 😊

[@hornek]

I hope all these people are doing well during the pandemic.

[@mikechorizo]

such an inspiration to see these people sticking together for one another... this is the secret of life

[@PabloCoudenys]

Okinawa is a fantastic island! I really miss it...

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Is it really that great? I’ve dreeeamed of seeing it for myself someday.

[@paranoidhumanoid]

These beautiful ladies all appear genuinely happy and at ease with themselves! I'm jealous!

[@ianrmacdougall3875]

The Japanese can be very proud of there care for the elderly and the tradition of Ikigai, to bring the elderly into a circle of such compassion and individual autonomy is wonderful, there are things about Japanese culture that far exceed the West in its treatment of the aged.

[@iche9373]

..., says the Weeb who idealizes Japan.

[@fredericksamson9430]

So part of longevity can be attributed to being a part of a social group.

[@alexwood2156]

Great, so I have zero chance to get old ...

[@taxsi]

Longevity and happiness.

[@claudekingstan4084]

I sent this to my parents, my wife and my sister. I pray we can all do this ☺️❤️🙏🏻 and May everyone who reads this all be blessed with a long and happy healthy life too.

[@anggrianiekosari2946]

Aamiin 🙏 so to you 🙏

[@akina1053]

I asked my dad why he never showers at home but only brushes his teeth and washes his face. Well, as a child he grew up taking baths in hotsprings and dipping himself in cold water instead of showers. He also jokingly says "The stress from your mother will kill me one day." So he goes home to grandma ( almost 100 years old at the time) once a week to his hometown where he could relax and be stress free. He told me he never believes in diets or strictly restricting himself to one kind of diet. "Balance of everything." Too much of the good stuff can also be bad. Although he also has vices like smoking and alcohol during his young years. Turning 80 next year and its like he is on his 60s.

[@rainer9936]

this was wholesome and inspirational, thanks!

[@joehaddad5986]

You can feel the happiness and peace of mind in this group

[@kado8432]

i love the laugh of the lady with a red shirt. all of them showed and shared a lot of energy, joy and happiness. it feels nice to watch this

[@FUNKYTRIPUNKY]

Lovely! Search also for the same situation in a Greek island named Ikaria. They also enjoy nlife for many years, somehow with the same principles.

[@punnaroothsrimongkolsilp1543]

Thank you BBC perspectives 🙏🇬🇧🇹🇭🙏

[@bharatecon]

Live long these cute ladies.☺️❤️🤩

[@kado8432]

their joy, energy and the really good frame choices and editing make a really nice video. the dedication and warmth is remarcable

[@EarthC1_37]

Japan has many treasure and this is one of them💕

[@mvygantas]

this video, randomly on my suggested feed, made me feel perfect. Good morning everybody :)

[@JocaIdrone]

meanwhile im over here 23 years old no job depressed no friends in a failed relationship with no energy to do anything what so ever

[@muted9729]

hope ya can get through it and get better i was depressed for 2 years kinda like that now i am just focused on being productive and distracting myself with it....life is harsh man

[@JocaIdrone]

@@muted9729 thanks man, it means a lot

[@heavenlyspiritualwarrior7236]

I am sorry. Much Love🌻😇🙏🏿🙌🏾

[@maximyles]

We sound like we’re in the same situation. Hope you find something that inspires you bro, it’s ok to fail every now and then, but we keep on moving forwards. Even just one step at a time

[@adoxartist1258]

@@JocaIdrone Social support for ya: sending hugs and healing energy your way. 🌻

[@ritahall2378]

What an inspiration. ! Not only encouragement of longevity but celebration of it. They all seemed healthy and happy - No prescription drugs !!!

[@Genny-Zee]

My ojichan (grandpa) will turn 80 this year. His parents and grandparents lived until their nineties despite battling debilitating diseases like dementia. His birthday is even more special to me after his Parkinson’s diagnosis 7 years ago. I praise him everyday ❤

[@dfjulesful]

Couldn't stop smiling watching this.

[@TIGERZY2K]

Okinawa Island of Japan is filled with centenerian grandpas and grannies who are leading 100 times healthier lifestyle than city dwelling oldies even with limited number of hospitals and doctors.

[@murat_yurttas]

They all are adorable.

[@phsal5182]

thank you

[@milanotfound]

Watched this after reading book called ikigai truly inspired me even more to find and live with ikigai

[@grahamesworld415]

There are 9 primary factors that were discovered and are listed in the book "The Blue Zones". The Blue Zones study examined several parts of the world, not just Okinawa. I recommend you read that. This video doesn't really reflect what those 9 things are.

[@michaelmounteney2034]

Interesting that fasting or limitation of food-intake is not mentioned, and indeed food preparation plays a role in the social activities that promote longevity.

[@alexd9656]

"do you have friends?" hahaha the shaaaaaade

[@sqeezyyy]

I wanna hug them all

[@kumareshkcb4076]

Excellent

[@artepjan]

What I learned from this video is... Let's just have a moment of silence for us introverts...

[@karthiksubramanianlakshmi]

Here in South India, Tamil Nadu, Sivagangai dist , Karaikudi region there are some 100 year old men mostly belonging to Nagarathar community, one man is my extended Great grandpa, other is grandpa of a family friend. here 60 is celebrated as shasti poorty, 70 is Bheema ratha santi, 80 is sathabishekam, 90 ugra ratha santhi, 100 is kanagaabishekam

[@shayk4791]

I'm curious - are there specific factors why this particular village has so many people live long?

[@karthiksubramanianlakshmi]

@@shayk4791 philanthropy, spirituality, previously joint families, mostly vegetarian diet, educational and medical awareness, non polluted village life, but near major towns for amenities etc

[@khartikeyenr.1929]

@@karthiksubramanianlakshmi heard that a recent padmashree award receiver is a 127 year old yoga practioner in up

[@beatrixjansen6297]

Awesome.

[@zidanrizkizulfazli3741]

Can we talk how satisfying the old lady wearing the shoes

[@ninawon]

Bold of youtube to recommend this video to me and assume i would want to live pass 100.

[@charondolls]

It's also a collective society, which is ingrained in the culture. To think of others is as as important as oneself.

[@DiyarElshq]

It's only one thing I believe that makes huge difference and that is socialization. Look how they care for each other

[@sandig621]

That gorgeous, holding hands every day, I wish to be so lucky with love.

[@sistersroomco2790]

I was just thinking how I would die first before them means how much they looking forward in being alive and growing healthy along being aging... It's fascinating and admirable...

[@safevacation4u136]

Explore the world is a never-ending journey. Chasing what is new and unknown. Asia is my passion. Japan is my love. I invite you on extraordinary journeys around the Land of the Rising Sun🇯🇵❤️🇯🇵

[@yasmineelboubsi6038]

Love japan from the land where the sun sets

[@tylerdurden3443]

Good!

[@Melanie____]

Nothing about the epigenetics passed down from a culture previously nearly all whole food plant based? There are people in western cultures that have great family lives and do excercise but they aren’t living to 100. Whole food plant based diets is what is in common with all the blue zones.

[@ryanmalone2681]

Absolute and utter RESPECT. I only hope I could be half the man these women are.

[@TheSuri26]

The first time I heard about this island Okinawa was when I learnt that it's the birthplace of Meisa Kuroki. 😁✌

[@HSP9999]

It's those jutsus they inherited from Tsunade. Don't lie Japan. We're not stupid.

[@oosieweste]

This comment is so underrated

[@francislililles8360]

WAHAHAHA! I should start learning medical jutsus then and practice walking on water to control those chakras hahahahahhahaah

[@maximyles]

If you look closely you can see the slugs poking out their pockets

[@sandragrace6402]

oh wow that lady is 81 years old and can do a perfect split. Here I am at 26 and when I bend down to pick something, the entire village can hear my joints pop

[@12dhm61]

Think about it in all the blue zones there are 3 things traditional living, community hapiness , and general simplicty and isolation from stress these are the secret to a good life

[@5656156516516]

Guess which profession has the shortest life span. Doctors

[@naturefrc3986]

Causes of death: -Suicide caused by depression -Accidents and even sudden deaths caused by overexertion -Cancer due to diminished immune system from the tremendous physical and mental stress. The average doctor will treat betwen 40000 and 190000 patients during their professional career and live 15 years less than the average lifespan of that country.

[@anjafink8996]

In the old days people had to come together mainly for physical reasons and the psychological benefits were kind of a byproduct. There was work that could only be done by many hands, or in winter only one room was heated, had electrical etc. People would meet there and do needlework, small wood work, mending and so on. They would talk and sing there, old songs and rhymes. Nowadays we have hardly any need to come together and we are usually not aware that we need it psychologically more than ever.

[@dayonpanyalai8583]

In my family only few Elder manage to live Untill 70...most common they died before 65

[@toady7741]

"Despite a shortage of doctors, there are many healthy seniors here." Perhaps it's _Because_ of a shortage of doctors. But why would they need doctors in the first place (except for emergencies)? They take responsibility for their own health and well-being.

[@blahdelablah]

I would suggest their social life plays a bigger part. You also see older people having active social lives in other blue zones, like the Greek island of Ikaria.

[@Mike-le6ed]

The medical establishment is the #3 killer in the US behind heart disease and cancer. How often do you think doctors report themselves when making mistakes that kill patients? Might be higher than 3rd after all. Commentors are overrating the playtime, undervaluing the diet and exercise.(and avoiding doc's). Diet and exercise can be hard work so some try to downplay their effects. Playtime wont save you; weight management, sweat, vegetables, some fasting, and AVOIDING THE DOCTORS are key.

[@blahdelablah]

@@Mike-le6ed There is a fair amount of evidence that links lower levels of stress to a longer lifespan. Social interaction in welcoming environments would reduce stress levels.

[@ryan.m990]

Rice is a big big part of it.....no lie . Even ask the centenarians about it . Rice rice and bo bice .

[@bmona7550]

Just not too much white rice. Any other would do

[@nat0106951]

@@bmona7550 it is white rice which they eat 3 times a day for 100 years

[@june1463]

Yes my mother likes eating white rice and some vegetable soup, she is now 95.5 years old. But she worked hard physically up to 90.

[@Truthseeker371]

Having lived in the Western countries, I notice the biggest difference of the ageing population there are bigotry and fear of change. The Japanese old people take life as it comes and are eager to learn new things. Keeping abreast with the change of time. They are not excessively nostalgic and regretful as the Western old people. Actively engaging with the future generation is very effective with gracious ageing. Life is once. We all have to die sooner or later. Why not enjoy and embrace ageing in the way that makes one tick.

[@wavemaker2077]

The video just mentioned diet but it didn't get into details. The Okinawans eat a lot of vegetables. They do eat meat but they prefer to eat lots of vegetables. So the 4 rules in Okinawa are: 1. Diet with lots of vegetables 2. Physical Activity 3. Self-Help 4. Mutual Help System

[@anmolzero4937]

ikigai- just read this book for further more information awesome

[@NeilCC125]

anyone know the song at the end of the video?

What if it’s just good genes, and it has little to do with diet, exercise, and socializing?

[@duybear4023]

I call it "living to our genetic potential." Many of us never reach our potential in so many ways.

[@hajarrajab596]

My one rule to live past 100: live in Japan.

[@danielkangX]

So far I have seen red meat, fried food dancing and Coca-Cola I think I am doing everything right 😆lol.

[@darkhorseman8263]

Specific polyphenols like catalpol, plus foods rich in hyaluronic acid.

[@javiervasquez8995]

If only the whole World could find a way of using them on old people all over the planet. 😕 ¿Maybe science could find a treatment that would be cheap and accesible?

[@darkhorseman8263]

@@javiervasquez8995 catalpol merely stimulates normal growth hormone levels, which is easily achievable with dhea+metformin. Governments know of its potent anti aging effects, and have banned it in some countries, to avoid aging overpopulation.. Catalpol+Carnosine have the same effect in combination.

[@javiervasquez8995]

@@darkhorseman8263 Riiiight overpopulation is a serious risk... 🤔😮 So i guess in the end it's rather irrelevant wether people live longer or not. 🙁 Governments are probably willing to let old people wither and die to keep a steady increase of the Human population. 😔 Still I've recently heard prominent gerontologist Aubrey De Grey state that the current increase of the world's population is NOT as dangerous of an issue as it would appear. According to him should humans continue to live past their hundreds it would still take many decades before it actually became a problem of planetary scale. ¿Maybe if we were to start interestellar colonization that would solve the problem altogether? 😯

[@cherylyates9845]

@@javiervasquez8995 You wrote all this to say that the best solution is to give up the only planet we have. and to shill for some snake-oil internet bullshit salesman. I am so tired of you useless trolls.

[@fernandocortes1187]

3:00 lo que encontraron

[@rajeevmishra8932]

we need to provide such an opportunity to the people to live longer . Easy Life And Quiet Death.

[@gybx4094]

Yes. A death with dignity and respect. Here in the USA it's like a death assembly line.

[@fernandocortes1187]

3:10 clave

[@Ravist-P]

Even if they look old they dont even look like as old as 100!

[@zedftofficial]

What if I love being alone with my devices? In the olden times there aren't any devices so you feel alone

[@magnvss]

So, red meat isn't out of the menu (obviously) but moderation in eating is. And it's important being active and emotionally engaged with others (we are a social species and we evolved as hunter gatherers who had to travel great distances in search for their food, whether foraging or hunting).

[@GlennMarshallnz]

Okinawans eat a lot of pork. So red meat is fine as part of a wholefood diet.

[@MrFossil367ab45gfyth]

Japanese culture fascinates me.

[@laurasbrain4344]

🙏♥

[@siaround]

❤

[@PeterMsk2023]

On top of all, it’s their own mentality and attitude towards life.

[@scoopam_art]

Obasan 97 year old has better hairline than me who is 18 years old

[@donllaves8496]

Allen greeny

[@melissasalasblair5273]

🙏🏼💭🌸🌌

[@inferno5045]

IKIGAI

[@viewsdaily4840]

SHE DOESN'T LOOK 81 AT ALL!!! 😲😲

[@sharan96vj87]

☺️

[@directoromicron3186]

If I make it to 100 it'll be the year 2105, SHEEESH

[@kamwolf3960]

So....what IS their diet?

[@imsody]

I wanna know too... Apparently the blue zones are mostly whole food plant based. But I haven't heard this from a Japanese so I'm not completely sure. The lady at the beginning said her favorite food was red meat but I wonder if she eats it sparingly or not

[@ekatasatya2995]

that long period of life lessons, omg, no TY.

[@trinityz5540]

THAT WOMEN AT 5:23 IS 81 YEARS OLD?! I THOUGHT SHES 50 !

[@AdamBechtol]

Ah I just adore the elderly :)

[@tommyb6611]

Rule #1: Evolve from present form Rule #2: Read Rule #1 Rule #3: That is all, no need for Rule #4

[@annainspain5176]

Not a single mention of genes, which obviously play a part, especially in an island population.

[@syntaxerror8955]

Good point -- and as you say, especially in an island population. It's almost an entire year difference in life expectancy at birth between Japan (84.3) and #2 Switzerland (83.4), and then for the next 7 positions, they are clustered closely together, and more or less identical (83.0-83.3): Norway (#3), South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Cyprus, Australia, and Italy.

[@dou40006]

yet I am not sure it is a great thing to love that long , when you get yo 100 one quarter of your entire life was old age, as much as your youth. Even in the best case after 80 you follow a slow life that us not really full filling in my view

[@DSAK55]

Number 5: avoid social media

[@cinthia9602]

People who live in villages live longer.

[@akashverma5756]

In india, elder people only work as CCTV.

[@jojo3764]

No, thanks please. I don't wanna live beyond 100. 😂 I've had enough.

[@Avivenyu]

I'd add a fifth principle: none of the octag-centanerians seem to be spending much time on their phones...

[@angelaortiz6328]

While we all here talking about being 30 and feeling like 85

[@severrnijKGU]

The best rule of all to live past 100 is an NHS (national health system).

[@jordankriss2440]

People in Okinawa are very nice people. Very friendly, and genuine. Also Okinawa is the only place in Japan that can stand up to fascist Japanese conservative party/government and conservative wing nuts that are infamously well known to the rest of the world. I've seen many protests by people in Okinawa, protesting against those Japanese government policies.