It’s rare for a book to have any impact beyond its general readership. One book, The 100-Year Lifehas done just that. It has influenced policy makers and caused a political storm. In the book, the authors, take a hard look at the economics of supporting a nation that will live longer. Where will the ageing population work? Where will they live? When will they retire? Who will look after them? Are the social services prepared? Are its businesses prepared for an ageing workforce and an ageing consumer population? It’s a long list that covers health, well-being and finance.
Nowhere has the impact of the book been so obvious as in Japan. After reading the book, the Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe acted. He instructed his ministers to organize a series of high-profile conferences. The conferences looked at the issues raised in the book. In Japan, they know that they need to transform how their government delivers its services.Lynda Gratton, one of the books authors, addressed the conference in Tokyo. Her message was to not only support the ageing population but to reap the benefits of it too.
How can a book about reaching 100 cause such an impact? The book’s subtitle gives us a little more information: “Living and Working in an Age of Longevity.”
Japan needs to address the logistics and economics of its ageing population. Given its leading global position in life expectancy, something needs to happen. For example, people who live longer, need a larger retirement reserve and will need to work longer. Here in the US, retirement agewill rise to 67 for those born in 1960 or later.
This age will have to rise even further. Japan is catching up. It has recently proposed a change for its governmental employees. Increasing their retirement age from 60 to 65. But Japan acknowledges the need for change throughout its society. Japan and the US could follow Singapore’s example. The removal of, or amendments to, policies which limit older citizens rights. This will allow people who are older to work for longer. and access training and education.
Japan has seized upon the book because it is already seeing the changes in its demographics. Its citizens live for longer. On average 6% longer than their US counterparts. Exercise, healthy japanese diet and their attitude to managing their own health, are seen as key influencers as to why the Japanese are so healthy.
Perhaps, this explains why the US and Japan view the book so differently. You only need to look at the book covers in their respective countries. The US edition below has a fairly dry cover. A few ladders and a brick wall. It looks like a pretty standard academic book and not that interesting.
But take a look at the Japanese edition. It’s renamed as Life Shift and has a manga comic-inspired book cover which is striking. It’s so good, we’ve used for the feature photo of this article.
Japan has given Juveriente™ our approach to health. It’s interesting to read about some of the challenges that go with living longer and healthier. Japan may be the most public country to grasp the messages in the book, but we can all try and ensure that we live the healthiest life we can.
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