Japan is the only country with most people unhappy to live to 100, survey shows

Just 21 per cent of Japanese say they expect to be happy when they reach 100, according to a survey of six countries

Most Japanese say they fear being a burden to their families or have few new experiences when they hit the century mark

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Elderly people take a walk in Tokyo. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:00am, 22 Mar 2024Updated: 9:20am, 22 Mar 2024

An overwhelming majority of Japanese people have no wish to live for a century in contrast to other nationals’ attitudes on longevity, according to a study on ageing covering six countries.

The report released on Monday shows that the Japanese “only focus on the negative aspects of living to be 100”, with just 21 per cent saying they expect to be happy when they reach 100.

“When we look at people’s views on life up to 100 years old, it becomes clear that Japan is the only country that does not see the positive aspects of the era of 100-year lifespans,” said Takashi Tanaka, the author of the report, in his conclusion.

“In other countries, while there are negative aspects, such as anxiety and difficulties associated with a 100-year lifespan, people there also focus on the positive aspects,” he added.

According to the report, the negative aspects the Japanese tend to focus on include not wanting to be a burden to family or friends as they age and the “difficulties” associated with being a centenarian, the report said. Respondents in the other countries involved in the study – the US, China, South Korea, Germany and Finland – also shared similar concerns.

The Japanese respondents were markedly more pessimistic when it came to other questions as well. Only a mere 28.7 per cent said that they would have new opportunities to experience things at the century mark.

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