Japanese girls born in 1997 have a life expectancy of 86 years old, which would make them the oldest people in the world according to a report from the country's health ministry. Boys born last year fall slightly shy of this figure, and can expect to live to 79.2, putting them in third place, after Iceland and Hong Kong.

Researchers attribute this longevity to a healthy diet and strong social ties. However, Japan is ageing quicker than any other country, with a tenth of its population aged 75 years or older. Those aged 65 and above are likely to account for 40 percent of the population by mid-century. This will have a huge impact on the country, since Japan also has one of the world's lowest birth-rates. This means the Japanese government has a looming headache with the prospect of funding large pension and superannuation schemes, taking care of the elderly and maintaining productivity.