Volume 25 - Article 7 | Pages 245–284
Exceptional Longevity in Okinawa:: A Plea for In-depth Validation
Abstract
The topic of this article is the exceptional longevity in Okinawa. This phenomenon should be thoroughly validated at both the individual and population levels. This contribution analyzes the demographic data available for the population of Okinawa, in order to explain the presence of large numbers of centenarians. The mortality crossover obtained by comparing mortality rates in Okinawa and Japan could be attributed either to different behavior of the generations born before and after WW II, or to bad data. Arguments are presented in favor of both possible explanations. The reconstruction of the Koseki to replace the original, which was destroyed during WW II, could be a source of misreporting of age and would support the bad data hypothesis. Nevertheless, no concrete proof of invalid data has been found. Therefore, the author does not favor either of these explanations, but is calling for a more in-depth validation of longevity in Okinawa.
Author's Affiliation
- Michel Poulain - Tallinna Ülikool, Estonia EMAIL
Other articles by the same author/authors in Demographic Research
Trends in living arrangements and their impact on the mortality of older adults: Belgium 1991‒2012
Volume 43 - Article 15
Most recent similar articles in Demographic Research
Two-dimensional contour decomposition: Decomposing mortality differences into initial difference and trend components by age and cause of death
Volume 50 - Article 41
| Keywords:
decomposition methods,
mortality
International completeness of death registration
Volume 50 - Article 38
| Keywords:
data collection,
death,
mortality,
statistics,
sustainable development goals,
vital registration
Incorporating subjective survival information in mortality and change in health status
predictions: A Bayesian approach
Volume 50 - Article 36
| Keywords:
Bayesian demography,
health,
mortality,
self report,
subjective mortality probabilities
Standardized mean age at death (MADstd): Exploring its potentials as a measure of human longevity
Volume 50 - Article 30
| Keywords:
formal demography,
life expectancy,
mean age at death,
mortality,
standardization
Differences in mortality before retirement: The role of living arrangements and marital status in Denmark
Volume 50 - Article 20
| Keywords:
inequalities,
living arrangements,
marital status,
mortality,
retirement
Cited References: 35
Download to Citation Manager
PubMed
Google Scholar