65+ Being old in rural Japan
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 чер 2016
- Pia Kieninger and Isabelle Prochaska-Meyer are scientists. In an empirical study “Aged communities and active ageing - A case study of rural villages in the Japanese Alps” (funded by the OeNB, JSPS, OeAD, DIJ and ÖFG) they investigated the daily life of elderly in rural Japan and spend thereto 4 months on site (2013 and 2014). The documentary is an outcome of the research (funded by TIFO).
Short Synopsis:
Demographic change - ageing of society and depopulation of peripheral regions - is affecting many industrialized countries. Japan, with a proportion of currently 25 % elderly of 65 years and/or older, is in this regard a forerunner worldwide. Based on the ethnographic research project „Aged communities and active ageing - A case study of rural villages in the Japanese Alps”, conducted by scientists from the University of Vienna, this documentary focuses on the daily life and challenges in three overaged villages in the Japanese Alps. The story portraits two single-living seniors: the 84-year-old Shimako, a former farmer wife, with a husky deep voice, who still grows vegetables. She regularly meets her neighbors for tea chats and joins the village choir and gymnastics course. Her biggest passion however is gateball, a very popular senior team-sport in Japan, similar to croquet. And there is the 93-year-old Genichi, the oldest man in his village with driving license, who hates sport but loves composing short poems (tanka) on daily events. As he enjoys his freedom in old age, deciding for himself when to get up and when to work, he refuses to live with his son´s family. Also he still cultivates his agricultural field for self-subsistence.
In between the portraits, the narrator introduces general information about the current situation of rural life in Japan and of the three municipalities, regarding local supply, mobility, welfare and communal activities.
____________
Film details:
Country of production / coproduction: Austria
Original Title: 65+ Alt sein im ländlichen Japan
English Title: 65+ Being old in rural Japan
Language: German (narrator) and Japanese
Subtitle: English
Year of production: 2014
Runtime: 35:08
Colour: Colour
Shooting Format: HD, Stereo
Camera: Panasonic HC-V757 & Canon EOS 70D
Frame Rate: 25p
Aspect ratio: 18:9
Original format: AVCHD
Video Signal: PAL
Sound: Stereo
Film type: Documentary
Cutting program: Adobe Premiere CC
____________
Directors: Pia Regina Kieninger and Isabelle
Prochaska-Meyer
Editing: Stefan Nutz
Narrator: Andreas Danzer
Music: Chika Okabe
____________
Public/Festival Screenings:
07. Austrian Independent Film Festival, (25.-30.09.2015)
05. European Science Film Festival, Vienna, Austria (04.-06.12.2015)
Japanorama, University Vienna, Austria (09.03.2016) - Наука та технологія
I'm a 64 yr old Canadian. I've been living in Japan since 1980. I have a mountain villa on a lake in the mountains just like in this vdo. Just seeing this makes me appreciate my simple life even more. It truly is a lovely and peaceful place to live.
What's remarkable about the elderly in Japan is that they look young for their age, they voices are not frail and fading and their movements are still agile. I'm Asian ( not Japanese) and my brother- in-law comes from an island also renowned for their stamina and longevity. My brother-in-law is 65, looks half his age and is not greying. When he was young, he could work 3-4 days and get by on a few hours sleep when very busy. His mother would hike in the hills at age 85 unaided. My friends from that island are known for their endurance and work 16 hour days without dropping. We joke that it must be all that fish they eat freshly caught each day, with fruits and vegetables from their garden. Very little or no processed food is eaten, sugar rarely. My mother is 93 and still living independently.
Louella Wilson - I never thought fish could be so beneficial! I'm allergic to much of seafood, which is unfortunate. :c - Thanks for sharing. All the best!
Louella Wilson That's fascinaiting! Could you tell me the name of the island you mentioned?
Louella Wilson Hello ,how re you ?
I ve liked your comments in the past also .I like your reply this time also You write very well and you re an intelligent guy .
You may be correct about the diet. Please see November 2005 National Geographic Magazine's cover story, "The Secrets of a Long Life". The study includes people from Okinawa, Japan.
Louella, the elderly who aren't healthy go to live with their children in the cities, or go to nursing homes. What you are seeing in this video is the healthy elderly people.
The sheer cleanliness of the rural area amazes me.
Duh! Rural areas will always be cleaner than urban ones.
not just rural.. japan spotless clean nearly everywhere.. same goes to china now actually.. tho cant say the same for the US and many countries in europe tho
The cleanliness of the urban areas is amazing as well.
These elders are soo cute. They had seen a lot with the number of years on earth and I have great respect for them for simply having gone through life.
I think it's disgusting that you would call any senior "cute." It's extremely offensive, condescending and patronizing. You need some education.
Very good documentary! Old folks should live like this not in care homes where they become weaker each day.
And are made to take sedatives which give them nightmares and depression as a side effect. It makes it easier on staff if the old folk are "out of it" - they don't take as much looking after. :-(
Linda, you are right. They effectively kill them with drugs they don't need and are being forced to take. It slows them down completely and shortens their lives from years to months. By comparison this reflects wonderfully about a certain tradition of farming in Japan to keep old people active in old age while they can.
Good thing my family did just that to my grandmother who's 92 and still have the energy to travel the world.
She's like the most traveled person in my family!
Lucas Pierre...that is such a thoughtful comment from you and it is so true. Some people must be in a home that can care for them, but if people had a place they could go to (if they chose) while still capable of activity it would be so good. I want to get a tiny house in a small community where I could have the animals (that I love so much) and care for them (that i love so much) it would be the best thing for me!!! I'm sure would help me to live longer, happily! My sister had a stroke & lived inactive for a whole year & wasn't much better! She came to live with me & cared for my animals while I went to help with my Mama, and she got better, so much better it was like night & day!!!!
Barebare kun....that is awesome!!! Keeping active, keeping interested!! that is the key!! Bless your family and the desire to keep your Grandmother living!!!
We live in rural Japan and love it! Gardening , poetry, photography, wonderful meals with friends...
while watching the video i thought about living in rural Japan. I like nature, gardening and peace and polite respectful people.
see clearly foreigners just make Japan look less Japan you know when they had the shogunate and tokuwaga and the samurai they had more of real. Japanese culture void of westernized Japan.
Mrs. N....are you from the United States choosing to live there or are you from Japan? I am so happy for you!! Awesome that you have found a satisfying life!!! I am 74 and searching for that satisfying life, I hope time doesn't run out on me before I find it!! I love the country & animals and caring for animals. I have not found something I can afford.
goognam goohnws...me too! I am searching for "that, nature, gardening, respectful people, peace & include animals for me! Maybe someday we both can be there!!!! LOL Judie I love the US but in my old age I would like the have this that Japan offers!
goognam goognws me too. It's so peacefull, no stress just enjoy life and the nature
I was in Japan. I just love the people there. They work quite hard and never complain. The land is so beautiful but has many earthquakes. I also love their culture. Mostly everyone has a beautiful small garden.
Who on earth would dislike such a touching and great documentary?! It was awesome! It makes me want to move over there!
My Obaachan (grandmother) lives in chiba prefecture, which is just an hour from tokyo by train. she's in her mid 70's and has been part of a calligraphy and tea club, which she goes to a couple of times a week. She knows many people in the area and has many friends, keeping her busy and not feeling bored or isolated. The rest of the time she's busy listening to the radio and sewing and repairing Kimono's at a cheap rate, which is something she has done to have her own money as she was a typical japanese house wife. It's nice to see that there's many things to do for old people there. Lots of classes and clubs to join and feeling part of a community. Friends call up on each other, and there's the usual girly gossip. My grandmothers neighbour's 2 granddaughters even come round to play all the time. She has seen them grow up over the years which is really sweet. My ojiichan (grandfather), who is in his 80's on the other hand is a bit of a recluse. :')
On the other hand, I also noticed that Japan has a massive market for old people homes. you see it in tv commercials and everywhere. It's hard to miss. so, perhaps there's many people who don't experience the same sense of community and independence, and end up residing in old people homes alone. It was a bit eerie, but i remember going to the hospital one summer as my grandfather got a bit ill, and all i could see in each hospital room and ward, was old people. the only 'young' people i saw were the nurses. pretty spooky, and most of them were alone. I know japan has a strong work ethic, but i feel this takes away from the once strong emphasis on family. The people who control this world tear apart everything and seek to profit from that. it's very sad.
Jemima, Exactly right. I believe this was planned by elites to become more dependent on their system. When this older generation dies off, it's going to be a strange new world...
Jemima Kaneko I'm not even from japan but I did serve in Okinawa for two years while in the marine corps. Our based was next to a village name Hinoko I will never forget the spirit of the elderly people working the fields and the fishermen there I have many good memories there. America is so overly populated no sense of belong. One day I'll will bring my son there so he can see the beauty of coexistence with nature
there is always two sides of the country and i just knew about the one side of japan and what you mentioned is the other side of japan which i really feel sad. love from india
The work ethic is not a problem. The problem is the deep fear people have in a lack of resources and how they are coping with it, and the casualty is young people moving away to help pay for the system the middle age and elderly chose. It's a Nations response, and it has consequences for the young.
Nice to know about your grandparents. As I have been seen many aged people still very active and industrious. I am very respectful to them. I am pursuing a research project on the aged people so I met many elderly people to chat.
However, the major problem is communication because of my poor Japanese skills. You wrote very good English, so may be I can listen many important information from you. If you interested to cooperate me then reach my mail ID- sultan@jaist.ac.jp
wow... loved this. It makes me wish i had grown up there.. as a person that is ageing (57) and not physically in great shape, isolated even tho i live in a large town in the UK, i envy the sense of community i saw here, the level of physical activity of these folks, their physical state at their age! But mostly i loved their independence. xx great film!
I found myself relaxing and smiling as I watched this...Living in a small community in their own houses almost made me cry. Friends over the years and those bonds are like family. Their Interdependence and attitudes are just wonderful. And able to have a garden! I live in a retirement home 6 stories tall with 125 residents and most activities are in the rec room downstairs. I miss everything about living in a home of my own. And with people like this? A slice of heaven. I might cry myself to sleep tonight. I study Buddhism. Namaste.
Great job! More documentaries like this to educate the next generation. I thank you for giving importance to the elderly. Most people forget them.
Those who decide how old people should live and Young and arrogant and never imagine that they will one day be old and frail ,,, such is the irony of life ,,,
true im 75 better to be dead than in an uncaring home here in England
Lovely. The 93yr old gentleman looks like a 70yr old. Wow👍🏾
Well, he was too young to have fought in WW2. :-)
That's why I love Japan more. They're still strong and youthful, unlike third world elders in general.
I am 75 strangers think im 50 ha ha ha ha ha
This documentary has been produced with a compassionate heart .
I prefer this over the nursing home. More peaceful way!
im japanese, 63yrs old. i could join them after 2yrs if i have land. now i ended up japan , and live in Thailand.now i dont want to go back except an appetite of eating sushi in Japan, now i love Thailand. my good wife is thai and i live in her house,that is in country side of Thailand. i have three babies with her but they dont want to come over here. they are in hard warking time to eat. Thank you.
Takuya Yamamoto its very strange, I m Singaporean living in U.K. I retire two years ago but never remarried. Staying alone for 30 years on my own. I love it and I have so much freedom. Every year I go back to Singapore.
I'm in UK.I think it's the same everywhere for the elderly/old
hello takuya. Why you don't wanna back to japan? i'm very interested about japan and i hope sometime i will go there.
Nothing beats living in the countryside...
Everybody ageing gracefully and healthy.....enviable skin....fresh air...peaceful rural life....biological food....This is the good life!!!
yes sadly in our country as in most others we breath in polluted air caused by industry planes and motorised vehicles food is contaminated as is the water things have changed since I was younger
This was the most bitter sweetest documentary I've ever watched... (:
Very beautiful!
My grandpa lives in these and wants people to start vacationing here! Not only are houses super cheap for pretty modern houses, the nature is something to kill for. The water is WARM, private beaches everywhere, snow capital of the world, incredible food, nice neighbors that love to offer you food, zero crime, etc!
My son will be leaving for a small fishing village in Hokkaido in a few weeks where he will teach English. He has been a high school teacher here in the states for 12 years and has his masters degree and much specialized training, he could qualify to teach at university level, but a rural village has been his dream; the elementary school building just celebrated it's 103rd year and is a picture perfect place, just like "Twenty-Four Eyes" (二十四の瞳 Nijū-shi no Hitomi). We'll miss him, but are very happy at how far he's come in life to give his best to a people he greatly admires and respects.
I miss my grandma so much , she used to love farming and milking goats . Now grandpa's alone and nothing is as nice as it used to be . I would love to visit this village
The elderly woman does farm work at 84 and the granddad still writes poems (haiku?) ...wow..Their state of mind is very healthy as well!
93 years old and still driving a car.. even I never imagine can do that at that age. wowwwww
84 and drive a manual truck,that's impressive.
Where do they get petrol or diesel for their trucks ...what if it breaks down?
Great documentary. Most of these elderly are more active than the younger generation. These young ones wouldn’t last a day doing farm work. Much respect to these amazing elderly. Pure definition of living life and age should never be a barrier.
I cried not because i pity them but because I'm happy to see them live their lives comfortably and joyfully. I love seeing them like this.
Simply beautiful.. please preserve this paradise and allow the wonderful elders to live in peace, also I bet they cook better food to than any restaurant.
Excellent documentary.
Nice documentary. Thank you very much for sharing.
A very informative documentary on active ageing and the importance of community sharing.
Places like this make life more sensible and naturally healthy.
I absolutely loved this documentary. This is the best video I have come across that talks about life in rural Japan.
I live in Japan I'm 74 and this helps me understand what I'm going through
That beautiful countryside! I really wish I could live in a place like that, so beautiful and serene. There is something in the Japanese DNA. Look how many are still working the fields (food without GMOs!), not obese, getting around without assistance. The 93 year old has a full head of white hair and is reading and writing without eyeglasses!
Look at the food on the table of the 84 year old - vegetables, healthy meals, not processed like in the US. Japanese people still prepare home cooked meals from fresh veggies, lots of omega 3 in their diets.They are amazing people.
japan is my favourite destination .one day i will visit Japan.
same here when it comes to a spiritual relation with nature.
Same
Niranjoy Meitei been there I love it 🥰
Same here! My dream place is japan
Same
Very inspirational video .Im 73 , Im still working in the company .Hats off to the Japanese senior citizen .
Such a beautiful and moving documentary.Thank you for sharing.
Boy the Japanese people are amazing😂 I am 72 almost 73 in May13, I am on a cane, my left leg is bad now. I walked like they do now when I was in my 60's. lol. I Oriental people are strong and amazing. Thank you for the video. Charlotte
What a strong sense of community. Perhaps, with no obvious racial diversity, and political agendas, life is not so complicated. I can get bogged down going to our senior center by the obvious competition: how your hair looks, how you dress, makeup, the "right" shoes, the list goes on and on. Where, in the U.S. , is that feeling of no judgement? I'll bet it has to do with their religions.
Again you are what you eat, wake up before it’s too late.
Are you still alive?
I have visited Japan several times it's a country of people who love their nation so whole heartedly and people are so.proud of their nation..when people are so honest. So mindful of their neighbors and so.proud of their people & place..the nation becomes like Japan.
I love both Japan and Japanese people. I have lots of Japanese friends.
Hope other nations learn from Japan.
Swapan
So sad these places are being abandoned for the madness of Tokyo
My grandpa lives in these and wants people to start vacationing here! Not only are houses super cheap for pretty modern houses, the nature is something to kill for. The water is WARM, private beaches everywhere, snow capital of the world, incredible food, nice neighbors that love to offer you food, zero crime, etc!
This was so heartwarming to watch. Felt joy watching this. Thank you for video report =)
Loved this documentary. Thanks for posting!
I loved this so much - thank you! The Japanese are so lovely and inspiring.
The aged in Japan are doing one thing I dont see enough of in McAmerica which is being active, eating well and generally carrying on their lives without a concern for the world. I would love to move to rural Japan and take care of these people it seems tranquil and the people very very humble!
wonderful to watch, of course there are problems but the people seem relaxed and friendly, wish thus was happening in the west, and not just locking old people in care homes or abusing them but making them an active part of the community
Awesome documentary! They're all so cute, strong and self-sufficient. The community seems so peaceful. Definitely active ageing at its best.
I was able to experienced rural Japan in 1991 for 3 months in yamadera yamagata japan,8hours by car from tokyo.we lived in an old hotel around the valley. Although local cannot speak english except for a few we still able to communicate with them through sign language. I really miss Japan. So clean and the people are very respectfull.our hotel care taker was old ,like 80 yrs old man ,an ex soldier during ww2.he do all the chores like cooking for our meal,driving us to and from the factory,cleaning the hotel.we call him papa san.when it's time for us to go back home he cried and so our Japanese friends in the factory
I admire how old people in Japan live independently with determination and passion for life. Age is just a number after all. 😍
Beauty of Japan.
After watching this video I realized that being a farmer is enjoyable and make us into better quality of live by living in rural area, breathe clearer air and eating fresh and healthy stuff first-hand from the field.
what makes this documentary so special..... is that they do not cut out the second the man has finished talking.... which in other documentaries happen frequently. And not just in the ending even in the beginning which makes you feel...... i do not know how to put it maybe soothing or simply having the feeling that the documentary isn't as forward which is a good thing.... you always want a moment of silence between the transition of each individual how talked in the documentary....
(for reference, 8:37 they do not shift to the next scene so fast) this is simply a one in many in this documentary and oh my god does it make a HUGE difference for me when listening.
would appreciate anyone's thought on this
Excellent, moving documentary. Thanks for posting.
I was moved by this video too.
I really enjoyed this documentary....much can be learned from it and applied to other cultures, especially with aging populations. Thank you!
People who live in rural areas tend to live longer than city dwellers. Aging population is also a big problem in most developed countries specially in europe. There are even entire towns in Spain and Italy with no young people or villages with no more than 100 people..
Karl .H Clean air in your lungs for 90 years is a plus !
very informative, thoroughly enjoyed this, well done.
because Japanese are industrious people. So we see even old age people are productive
Amazing documentary! After watching it I felt a strong urge to go there and help them as much as I can.
Great documentary, thanks for sharing it 🤓👍
I loved this little doc - biggest complaint is it is too short. Beautiful people.
The man is 93 years old he said that running is not his favourite sports but he looks great at his age 😇 God bless all the grandfather 👴 and the grandmother 👵
The place is so peaceful and orderly conducive for the elderly. My Chinese roomie says so many bad things about the Japanese but I always see the opposite...
The chinese don't like the Japanese because of the horrors commited by the japanese soldiers during the war.. It was terrible, so it's understable as the Japanese government still refuses to appologize.. Ask some korean people, they feel the same towards the japanese, because of the war too.
Sorry to hear your Chinese roommate thinks differently due to past history specially during the war.Japanese people suffered also through military warlords.
Both Chinese and Japanese share many things in culture and custom.
such a lovely elders..they are old but have happy and have a wonderfull heart, content with their own peacefull life.
Excellent video.we all should learn from these lovely elders how to age gracefully while remaining active.❤
The real meaning of growing old together
Such a beautiful documentary.
This is heartwarming. Glad some elders are really living the high life of their golden years. I hope to have some sense of community when I'm that age (if I am lucky to live that long)
This makes me think how i want to spend my old age... thanks for sharing, beautiful and heart warming content
Great documentary. Would love to live in that village!
watching this during covid 19 pandemic, this was peaceful and so wholesome, it made me feel better about our current situation.
Really enjoyed that.. absolutely brilliant ❤
Watched the full lenght. Very good doc.
Great vlog, thanks for sharing, I will subscribe and a high five. NOTE: PLEASE leave your subtitles up for one or two seconds longer. REASON: I am 75+y/o and can’t read as fast as I did in the past. THANK YOU!
Japan is best frn of Nepal I like Japan and I respect Japanese people
Awesome Documentary on Aging in Japan. I respect & salute the Japanese elderlies. They are full of energy & vitality to carry on with their lives throughout old age. They are the true role models in this world. There are no excuses at any age. Thanks for sharing this video, I would like to live my old age like them, full of motivations, hope, & adventures & wisdom. A life well lived up to the end.❤️👏
I 😍 this documentary.I 😍the culture and tradition of Japan.This video will be of great help for the elderly in the Philippines.
I enjoyed the documentary thanks for posting.
I m staying in Asia too. It is nice to see how elders live in another part of Asia.
Watching that little lady do her farming; most impressive!!!! (Used to lots of farming myself!)
Konnichiwa! Thank you for the great info, it really helped me and adds up to my knowledge about Japan Community, Sayonara!
hey thanks so much for your video, this type to videos i've been searching but i never found , So your video is perfect.
74 in 🇺🇸 I shop online for groceries, and virtual travel now.
+henroboke: A wonderful documentary...so beautifully shot and presented. Not just meditative and thoughtful but I also found the two people featured, especially the poet-once-farmer and now at 93 scribbling verse; to be highly inspiring. Thank you.
I have learned how to be old and remain active. I have much to be grateful for this Japanese video of the life of the senior citizen of Japan.Thank you.
awesome documentary with English subtitles
I am Iranian and love Japan since we grew up with their movies and cartoons. Hope to see this nice country anytime soon.
I really enjoyed this video, it reminded me of my Japanese in-laws that lived in rural Japan. Fresh food, hard work and sense of duty. Excellent video 5*****
Thank you for sharing, its give me great joy to see them happy doing all by themselves. Its beautiful I wish to retire in one of these places....
Beautiful documentary, the activities can be emulated in rural areas in other countries. I'm inspired to head a program like this in the future.
lol at 15:00 so its like an ice cream truck for the elderly? this is amazing how can I go live with all these nice old people and work in a farm under the sun?
Gustavo Barrera just come to West Virginia, lots of old people here, property is cheap, garden and raise chickens.
Gustavo Barrera vete a México :-)
Gustavo Barrera...ME TOO!!!! Do you think they would welcome us??
Martin Martin....Is this true??? How do you know this??? I am searching (without much money) for this!!!
Wow, I appreciate your vlog! Hiw I appreciate the interview giving us how old yin Japan can live by themselves!
Thanks
Amazing.
The people look really happy and health. Simple style of live is much more calm and connected with nature.
Beautiful nature and wonderful people, it´s like that in most rural areas everywhere. Big cities = no nature and arrogance. I am happy I live in a rural area too in my country. I hope to visit rural Japan someday, I would love to take a hike in those beautiful forests and hills.
Very touchable, congratulations !
sehr schöne doku! würde gerne eine 3 stunden version davon sehen
Im speechless, these people once again reminded me of what is Japan!!! they may die but never dither...... my love from India....
This is so wonderful. It fills my heart with joy. I wish to live in a place like that when I grow old.
What a beautiful, peaceful, pastoral happy place to live...
great documentary!
Its a beautiful documentry .The area shown is so green and pictursiq . watching these old people ,I started thinking about how we re going to face this period of our life ?Interesting topic to base a short film on !
This was a great little documentary.
This is beautiful, thank you.
This was wonderful. Japan is one of my favorite countries I've ever visited. I can't wait to visit it again. So beautiful, so much to do, so much to see, delicious food, such polite and friendly people!