Quality of life and physical activity for old age in Japan

The proportion of people over 65 years of age is increasing steadily in Japan. These demographic trends have led to an increased emphasis on the development and implementation of educational programs in the area of preventive medicine and healthy aging. The Japanese government has launched national strategies that encourage increased research and public policy development related to health promotion. The goal is to maximize health and well-being for a happy and sustainable society. The strategies have recognized regular physical activity as an especially important intervention strategy for older adults. According to the Japanese national guidelines, appropriate physical activity for old people is needed to minimize loss of muscle strength, decrease chronic conditions, and reduce the likelihood of accidents in everyday life. In Japan the emphasis has begun to shift way from a focus on increasing longevity to one that maximizes independence and quality of life.