Japanese people rarely stress over these 4 things and science shows they live longer as a result

Japan maintains the world’s highest life expectancy at 84.7 years, according to recent global health data from 2025. While diet and healthcare play significant roles, researchers are increasingly pointing to something less tangible: how Japanese culture approaches stress itself.

A groundbreaking study published in the Asian Social Work and Policy Review in September 2024 found that Japanese people experienced substantial improvements in “distress-free life expectancy” between 2010 and 2022. The research, led by Associate Professor Yuka Minagawa from Sophia University, is the first to quantify mental health’s role in Japan’s exceptional longevity.

1) Chasing perfection

Western culture often celebrates the pursuit of flawlessness, but Japan embraces an entirely different philosophy. Wabi-sabi, a centuries-old concept rooted in Zen Buddhism, finds beauty in imperfection and impermanence. A 2025 research paper published in January noted that this acceptance of flaws “nurtures all that is authentic by acknowledging three basic tenets: nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.”

The practice extends beyond aesthetics. Rather than spiraling into anxiety when projects aren’t pristine or when mistakes occur, this mindset allows Japanese people to move forward without the psychological burden of perfectionism. According to research on Japan’s longevity factors published in March 2024, this cultural acceptance contributes to better stress response and adaptability.

2) Comparing themselves to others

Oubaitori, a concept built from the kanji characters for cherry, apricot, peach, and plum trees, embodies the idea that everyone blooms in their own time and way. While social comparison drives stress and anxiety in many Western societies, this Japanese philosophy actively discourages measuring oneself against others.

Research indicates this attitude has tangible health benefits. A study on Japanese longevity found that social cohesion reduces stress-related illness by approximately 15%. The Adachi Cohort Study showed that men in neighborhoods where people felt more connected to each other experienced a lower risk of death from any cause.

3) Things beyond their control

Perhaps no concept captures Japanese stress management better than shikata ga nai, which translates to “it cannot be helped.” Living in a country prone to earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis has cultivated a cultural resilience around accepting the uncontrollable.

“It’s not mere resignation, but Japanese wisdom to accept reality and do one’s best within it,” explains a 2022 analysis of the concept. This philosophy, according to researchers, allows people to redirect energy from fruitless worry toward productive action. A 2024 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine noted that lifelong employment practices in Japan have “produced a less stressful society than in cultures such as Britain or America, where life employment is not assured.”

The Sophia University research found that during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, distress-free life expectancy temporarily decreased. But the population rebounded quickly, demonstrating this cultural capacity for acceptance in crisis.

4) Finding one singular life purpose

While Western self-help culture often pressures people to discover their “one true calling,” the Japanese concept of ikigai takes a more balanced approach. Often translated as “reason for being,” ikigai isn’t about finding a single passion but rather the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what can sustain you financially.

A January 2025 study on positive psychology and Japanese cultural constructs found that ikigai interventions “have shown promise in mitigating stress and enhancing resilience, particularly in populations facing psychological challenges.” Rather than creating anxiety about finding the perfect purpose, this framework allows for multiple sources of meaning.

The research notes that ikigai applications in university settings helped students “better manage stress while fostering a sense of meaning and connection.” This flexibility reduces the pressure that comes from believing you must identify one ultimate purpose.

What the science tells us

These cultural attitudes don’t exist in isolation. Japan’s government launched stress-measuring systems in workplaces in 2015, and the “Smart Life Project” in 2011 promoting holistic health practices. The traditional diet, social support systems called moai, and universal healthcare all contribute. But researchers increasingly recognize that cultural mindsets play a critical role.

“The findings contribute to the literature on longevity in Japan by quantifying the role of mental health in the population’s overall health,” the September 2024 study concluded. The research showed younger Japanese people gained more distress-free years than older adults, suggesting these cultural practices are being passed down and strengthened.

What’s next for longevity research

Scientists are now examining whether these Japanese cultural concepts can be adapted for other populations. A November 2025 report from the World Longevity Summit in Kyotango emphasized that “the pursuit of healthy longevity must be inclusive, ensuring that approaches are relevant and accessible across diverse regions and populations worldwide.”

By 2065, Japanese longevity is expected to reach 91.35 years for females and 84.95 years for males. Whether other countries can achieve similar results by adopting these stress-reduction philosophies remains an open question, but the evidence suggests that how we think about stress matters as much as what causes it in the first place.