Machines clank and weights clatter at gyms across Japan, but the people working out aren’t your typical bodybuilders — many are in their 60s, 70s or even 80s, following tailored exercise programs in pursuit of longevity.
According to last year’s census, as of Oct. 1 2024, people age 65 and older made up a record 29.3% of the country’s population, while those 75 and above accounted for 16.8%. The natural population decline has now continued for 18 consecutive years, with the rate of decline widening.
Although the population is graying, a fitness survey released by the Sports Agency in October of this year found that seniors today are fitter than they were in 1998, supported by growing awareness that physical activity is key to living a longer, healthier life.