OLD AND ACTIVE

It is well known that life expectancy is longer in Japan than in most other countries. A (1) ______ report also shows that Japan has the longest health expectancy in the world. A healthy long life is the result of the (2)______ in social environment. Scientists are trying to work (3)________ exactly what keeps elderly Japanese people so healthy, and whether there is a lesson to be (4)_________ from their lifestyles for the rest of us. Should we (5)________any changes to our eating habits, for instance, or go jogging each day before breakfast? Is there some secret (6)__________ in the Japanese diet that is particularly (7)__________ to the human body?

Another factor (8)________ to the rapid population aging in Japan is a decline in birthrate. Although longer life should be celebrated, it is (9)_______ in the last half century and that has increased pensior and medical costs. The country could soon be (10)_________ an economic problem, if there are so many old people to be looked (11)_____________, and relatively few younger people working and paying taxes to support them.

(12) __________ the retirement age from 65 to 70 could be one solution to the problem. Work can give the elderly a (13)___________ of responsibility and mission in life. It’s important that the elderly play active (14)_________ in the society and live in harmony with all generations.