Aging well: an update

Population aging is a global phenomenon, and Japan is one of the front-runners of rapidly aging societies. In 2030, one-third of the Japanese population will be at least 65 years of age and 20% will be at least 75 years of age. The working age population is shrinking. Healthy aging is a crucial issue for both individual well-being and the sustainability of society. Along with biomedical research, the importance of the living environment and lifestyle has been long recognized and extensively studied. The issues have been identified and now it is time to establish solutions and actions - action-targeted research. The Institute of Gerontology at the University of Tokyo launched a social experiment, redesigning existing communities where people could live for 100 years and remain healthy, active, and connected, while still maintaining a sense of security. This requires co-creation by citizens, researchers, government, and industry. The ultimate goal is to make linkages among longevity, health, and wealth, and to build a sustainable society.