A few months ago, I watched a documentary on Japan’s health and longevity.
It showed 90-year-olds biking to the market, businessmen walking miles to work, and families eating fresh, home-cooked meals. Almost no one was overweight. Chronic disease was rare. People looked energetic, strong, and mentally sharp—even in old age.
Then I looked at the U.S.
Nearly half the population is obese. Heart disease and diabetes are everywhere. The average American spends their last 10+ years sick, on meds, or in a hospital.
So, I started digging into the data.
What I found was shocking:
The average American dies 8 years sooner than the average Japanese.
Obesity rates in the U.S. are nearly 10x higher than in Japan.
The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any country, yet it ranks outside the top 50 in life expectancy.
How is this possible?
Here’s what Japan is doing right—and what Americans are getting dead wrong.
7 Reasons Why Japan is Healthier Than the U.S.
1. Obesity is out of control.
Japan’s obesity rate is 4.5%. The U.S.? 42%—almost half the population.
Obesity is not just about looks. It’s the root cause of heart disease, diabetes, and early death.
Why is Japan so much leaner?
Smaller portions – Americans eat 2-3x more per meal.
Less snacking – No mindless eating between meals.
Whole foods – No ultra-processed, hyper-palatable junk.
In the U.S., food is cheap, fast, and engineered to keep you fat.
2. Americans are losing a decade of life.
Japan’s life expectancy is 84.5 years. The U.S.? 76.4 years.
But it’s not just about how long you live—it’s about how well you live.
In Japan, 80-year-olds still walk, cook, and stay independent. In the U.S., people in their 60s are already struggling with medications, surgeries, and hospital visits.
Living long isn’t the goal. Living healthy and strong is.
3. Food is the biggest killer.
Japanese food is simple, clean, and nutrient-dense. Fish, rice, vegetables, and fermented foods like miso and natto.
American food? Designed for addiction.
Refined sugars spike blood sugar, causing insulin resistance.
Seed oils increase inflammation and weight gain.
Artificial additives mess with hormones and gut health.
The U.S. food system doesn’t care about your health. It cares about profits.
4. Americans don’t move enough.
The average Japanese person walks 6,000-8,000 steps a day.
The average American? 3,000-4,000 steps.
Japan has an active, walkable culture. People walk to work, to shops, and even the elderly stay mobile.
In the U.S.?
We drive everywhere.
We sit at desks all day.
We rely on convenience over movement.
Less movement = slower metabolism, higher body fat, and a weaker heart.
5. The U.S. allows toxic ingredients banned elsewhere.
Japan (and Europe) ban harmful food additives. The U.S. allows over 3,000 additives linked to cancer, obesity, and hormone imbalances.
Just a few examples:
Artificial dyes – Banned in Europe, but in almost every U.S. snack.
High-fructose corn syrup – Spikes blood sugar and leads to insulin resistance.
Preservatives like BHA and BHT – Linked to hormone disruption.
Japan’s food laws prioritize health. America’s food laws prioritize corporate profits.
6. The mindset around food is completely different.
In Japan, people follow “Hara hachi bu”—eat until 80% full.
In the U.S., we eat until:
Our plates are empty.
We can’t move.
We need a nap.
Buffets, supersized portions, and “all-you-can-eat” culture have normalized overeating.
What if you just ate until you were satisfied instead of stuffed?
7. U.S. healthcare is a broken system.
Japan prevents disease. The U.S. treats it.
In Japan, people get regular health checkups and doctors focus on lifestyle changes before prescribing medication.
In the U.S.:
People wait until they’re sick to go to the doctor.
Doctors prescribe pills, not solutions.
The healthcare system profits when you stay sick.
Chronic disease is a trillion-dollar business in America. That’s why nothing changes.
What This Means for You
America isn’t doomed, but most people are.
The good news? You don’t need to move to Japan to fix this.
You just need to adopt their habits:
✅ Eat real food. Whole, unprocessed, nutrient-dense meals.
✅ Control portions. Stop eating before you’re stuffed.
✅ Move daily. 6,000+ steps a day is the baseline.
✅ Cut out toxic ingredients. Avoid seed oils, processed sugar, and additives.
✅ Take responsibility for your health. No one is coming to save you.
Most people in the U.S. are on the fast track to chronic disease and early death.
But you don’t have to be.
You can take control starting today.
– Oliver
P.S. Let's talk if you’re serious about burning fat, boosting energy, and living longer—but you need a clear strategy to do it correctly.
>>> Click here to book your call
References:
World Health Organization (WHO) - Global Obesity Statistics
National Center for Health Statistics - U.S. Life Expectancy Report
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Approved Food Additives in the U.S.
The Blue Zones Study - Longevity Factors in Japan
