Background

Located southwest of mainland Japan, Okinawa as a geographic term can mean a Japanese prefecture, an island or a city. This is just a small glimpse into how Okinawa can mean so many different things to so many different people. For some, it is the home of karate, the birthplace of the jabisen, and the "jewel of the pacific"– an exotic resort destination. While to others the word sparks memories of World War II and represents a legacy of military bases. Okinawa prefecture consists of 161 islands (only 44 of which are actually inhabited): the Okinawa islands, Miyako islands, Yaeyama islands, Daito islands, and Senkaku islands. Okinawa Island is the largest of the Ryukyu Islands archipelago, which stretches southward between the East China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. When Koza city and Misato village merged on the main island in 1974, Okinawa the city was formed.

Being roughly equidistant from China, Taiwan and Japan, with the Philippines and Korea not much further away, has made for a rich cultural heritage that was once the Kingdom of Ryukyu. Okinawans have a history of reaching out to visitors and incorporating new cultural influences, while simultaneously clinging to an identity all their own. While Okinawan karate, cuisine, folk music and dance reveal characteristics similar to their Japanese counterparts; they are all distinct in some way from mainland Japan. Okinawa's unique proximity in the Pacific has also drawn peace-loving islanders into world wars and left them bearing the burden of U.S. military occupation. Still, the gentle Okinawan spirit prevails.

The transformation of Okinawa over the last 50 years has been remarkable. Once known as "the island of tombs," Okinawa has emerged today as a region of longevity. Okinawans are among the longest living people on the earth, the number of centenarians being three times as great as any other region. Life expectancy in Okinawa is the highest in Japan, and since the Japanese life span is the longest in the world, it follows that Okinawans are the world's longest living people.

The Blue Zones team explored the mystery of Okinawan longevity and quality of life in 2005.