Editor’s Note:
Story highlights
A growing number of elderly Japanese are challenging and shattering stereotypes of what aging means in the country
Around a quarter of the Japanese population are 65 or older, according to latest government figures
From working beyond the retirement age to being a competitive swimmer many senior citizens want to stay active
Despite being an 18-time world-record holder, Japanese swimmer Mieko Nagaoka is determined to win more medals and break more world records.
But Nagaoka is not your average ambitious sportswoman. She is 99 years old and only took up swimming when she was in her early 80s.
“I don’t care about my age,” says Nagaoka. “I can’t believe I’m 99. I still feel I like challenging everything.”
Her coach is also full of praise for Nagaoka, saying she is “the type who just doesn’t want to be defeated and is strongly determined to win more gold medals, world records.”
See also: The ancient forests of Yakushima, Japan’s eco-paradise
Nagaoka is among a growing number of elderly Japanese who not only challenge but also shatter stereotypes of what aging means in the country.
Japan’s demographic crisis is well-known: around one quarter of the Japanese population – 31.86 million – are 65 or older, according to government figures published in September, a record high. It is estimated there are over 54,000 centenarians, a 6% increase from 2012.
With the world’s longest life expectancy (84 years), and one of the lowest birthrates, Japan is expected to see sales of adult diapers overtake those of baby diapers by 2020.
However not all senior citizens are enjoying retirement. With 1 in 5 senior citizens employed, according to the Statistics Bureau of Japan, the country has the highest proportion of working seniors in the developed world. Financial necessities and boredom are among the most commonly cited reasons.
But even if they don’t have to work for a living, many elderly Japanese don’t want to live in isolation. Though not all can replicate the active achievements of Mieko Nagaoka, many senior citizens still have enough energy to spare or keep an active social life.
Take for example, the Pom Pom Grannies, a cheerleading squad with an average age of 67. The routines are not just a physical exercise, according to the 81-year-old founder Fumie Takino, but help keep one’s mind sharp as well.
In an attempt to deal with swelling pension costs, Japan is gradually raising the retirement age to 65, from 60 last year.
See also: Mapping Mount Fuji with Google Street View
But, active seniors say the public is so used with the stereotype image of the elderly who are frail or walking with a cane that many Japanese have difficulties with the idea of seeing the elderly stay active, let alone shouting and prancing with a pom-pom.
“Some people deny, cannot accept us. Why?” says Takino. “Japanese senior ladies are supposed to be decent and, you know… not this.”
Many of the women shared their bewilderment at the younger generation.
“They just play on this, er, what do you call it? Facebook? They don’t talk much. They just exchange on this Facebook. That’s not good thing,” says Takino.
That is surely one lesson these active seniors can teach the younger generation.
Yenni Kwok contributed to this report.
CNN’s On the Road series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries we profile. However CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy