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Young hear ticking of demographic timebomb loudest

By Robin Harding

Published: October 13 2008 10:44 | Last updated: October 13 2008 10:44

Tomoji Tanabe, who turned 113 in September, is the world’s oldest living man and he wants to live “for at least another five years”. For Mr Tanabe and many others Japan’s remarkable longevity is a gift.

But the other side of rise in the average age of Japan’s population – a falling birth rate – means longevity is a gift that poses considerable challenges.

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