Tag: Shokuiku

With an obesity rate of less than 4% among adults, Japan stands in stark contrast to many developed nations, such as the United States, which faces rates approaching 40%. The question of how did Japan avoid obesity is a complex one, revealing a society-wide commitment to health that spans diet, culture, and government policy.

According to a 2024 study, vegetables constituted 51% of total food served in Japanese school lunches, compared to just 15% in American schools, highlighting a major nutritional disparity. This article explores the significant cultural and practical differences between Japanese school lunch and American school lunch.

Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, a fact often attributed to its traditional diet and eating habits. The Japanese eating philosophy, known as *washoku*, emphasizes balance, seasonality, and respect for food as central tenets to health and longevity.