Japanese women extend life expectancy to new high
By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press Writer
Monday, July 26, 2010
Japanese women are expected to live almost 86 1/2 years, topping the world longevity ratings for the 25th straight year, the government reported Monday.
The statistics for 2009 compiled and published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed both Japanese women and men extended their average life expectancy to new records — 86.44 years for women and 79.59 years for men. Average life spans rose by almost five months for women and nearly four months for men compared to the previous year.
Japanese men, however, saw their average life expectancy slip to fifth from fourth in the world ranking, according to a ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department rules.
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But an increasing number of suicides among elderly men dealt a slight setback for male longevity, he said. Suicide, crime and alcoholism among the elderly have become growing problems because of low income and unstable employment.
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