Not long ago seen as the “twilight years”, 65 to 75 is the new “semi-elderly”, according to ageing experts in Japan.
A study carried out by the Japan Gerontological Society and the Japan Geriatrics Society has confirmed previous research in Japan showing that people are living longer than before - but adds that because they are both increasingly physically and mentally fit for longer, then the term “elderly” should no longer apply before a person reaches 75.
Announcing the report, Yasuyoshi Ouchi went as far as to say that the use of the term for anyone under the age of 75 is “anachronistic.”
“We would like the proposal to change public awareness of elderly people and provide an opportunity to promote their participation in society,” Ouchi, who headed the research team and is president of Toranomon Hospital in Tokyo, told a press conference to release the report.
Hiroshi Yoshida, a professor who specialises in the economics of ageing at Japan’s Tohoku University, says there is widespread support for the idea that the definition of elderly needs to be rethought.
“People who are 65 today have more vitality and energy than people of the same age in previous years,” Yoshida said.
