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MONTHLY NEWS December 1999 Japanese Kids Aren't as Fit as They Used to Be |
 Japanese
children's bodily strength and physical ability have deteriorated compared
with 10 years ago due mainly to a lack of exercise, according to a recent
study by the Ministry
of Education. The survey has been conducted annually since 1964, when the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo. This year, about 76,000 Japanese people, aged 6 to 79, took part. Elementary school children were tested in eight categories, such as the 50-meter (55-yard) dash, standing long jump, and softball throwing. In the long jump, the average for nine-year-old girls was 140 centimeters (55 inches), about 11 centimeters (4 inches) shorter than the 1988 result, when they jumped 151 centimeters (59 inches). The average was 147 centimeters (58 inches) for nine-year-old boys, 129 centimeters (51 inches) for seven-year-old boys, and 120 centimeters (47 inches) for seven-year-old girls. Each of these figures was down by around 10 centimeters (4 inches) from a decade earlier.  The
average time in the 50-meter dash was 10.78 seconds for seven-year-old
boys, 11.02 seconds for seven-year-old girls, and 9.95 seconds for nine-year-old
girls. These were the slowest times recorded so far.Children showed a slight improvement in softball throwing from the previous year, although the average distances were still lower than those from 10 years ago. Physical fitness experts point out that the poor performance of today's children is due to a lack of exercise. Professor Jun'ichiro Aoki of Juntendo University says, "Kids aren't playing outside as much as they used to because they're spending more time at home, playing video games and studying for entrance exams. The conveniences of modern life, such as escalators and cars, may also be affecting Japanese children's physical strength. "About 60 to 70 percent of Japanese are in need of more physical exercise," Professor Aoki adds. "As for children, physical education classes at school aren't enough. I hope that all generations of Japanese, from children through old people, will become more active in sports, such as by joining local sports clubs."
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