Takaharu Goto co-authored a paper titled ‘Biopsychosocial Consideration of Ikigai in Older Adults in Japan through a Cross-Sectional Study.’ The study, known as the Mima-SONGS study, was conducted in Koyadaira, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and examines the relationship between healthy life expectancy and various factors among older adults living in hilly and mountainous regions.
A study on Japan's hilly and mountainous regions
Nick: I recently stumbled upon your paper ‘Biopsychosocial Consideration of Ikigai in Older Adults in Japan through a Cross-Sectional Study’, which was published in early June this year. So congratulations, I know papers take a lot of research and time.
Takaharu: Thank you very much.
Nick: Thank you for writing it. And this paper seemed to be, or was it a collaborative effort with six other research authors. So how did this paper come about?
Takaharu: This paper presents the findings from studying Koyadaira, Mima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan. It is commonly called the Mima-SONGS study. This study examined the relationship between the healthy life expectancy and oral, cognitive, and the physical functions; social factors such as participation in community activities, and nutritional intake among older adults in hilly and mountainous regions in Japan.
Japan had the highest aging rate in the world, its policies to extend the healthy life expectancy and measures for the elderly are attracting attention. Most studies on the elderly in Japan have been in urban and suburban areas. However, there is a growing interest in hilly and mountainous regions, which accounts for 70% of Japan's land area, as well as marginalized communities, as research field.
The Mima-SONGS study is a field study conducted in the hilly and mountainous regions. May I explain a little about the study?
Nick: Yeah, sure. So the study’s around hilly, so hills, and mountainous areas. So this is, I guess, a unique perspective on the study.
Takaharu: Yes, the Koyadaira is in the east of Tokushima prefecture on Shikoku Island in southwestern Japan. The area is 95% surrounded by mountains, and with a population of 582 and an aging rate of 63%. It is considered to have a high probability of disappearing in the near future. The Mima-SONGS study is supervised by Dr. Shinji Fujiwara, Director of the Kiyahira Clinic.
I was introduced to Dr. Fujiwara by Emeritus Professor Tetsuo Ichikawa and Professor Yasuhiko Shirayama of Tokushima University. I have been involved in the study. Do you know the Koyadaira area?
Nick: No, but I think this is a common problem. Many areas, their population is shrinking, and they could sort of disappear.
Takaharu: I stayed there during my research. It's a wonderful area, rich in nature. If you're interested in coming, please contact me, I will show you around.
Nick: Okay. Well, let's do that. I'm going back to Japan this year, so I'd love to do that. Thank you for the invitation.