Global Courant 2023-04-19 16:16:50
Mutsuhiko Nomura’s football career spanned 18 World Cups, or 70 years to be exact.
Now, the silver-maned former Japanese national team player is a member of Tokyo’s brand new Over-80s Division of “Soccer For Life” (SFL) league, having played his first game this month.
The cheerful 83-year-old and his teammates are among a growing number of seniors pushing the limits of active living in Japan, one of the fastest aging societies in the world.
“When I was a kid, men in their 50s and 60s were considered ‘grandpas’,” said Nomura, who was already a member of several amateur teams, after an exhibition game in February.
“And now we’re all still in our 80s. It’s shocking.”
As Japan’s average lifespan rises inches, people aged 65 and older make up nearly a third of its population of 126 million, with life expectancy now at 85, which is among the highest in the world.
This has also brought about social changes: about one-fifth of the over-70s are in work, and the government is encouraging pensioners to start collecting later by promising greater deferrals. Older security guards and shopkeepers have become commonplace.
“I think the formation of the 0-80 division is a reflection of what we see in Japanese society, where the elderly can be so active,” said Yutaka Ito, the secretary general of the SFL league.
It is only 20 years ago that Tokyo created a section for the 0-60 age group. The 0-70 category followed in 2012, followed by the 0-75 category five years later. At that pace, 0-80 was just a matter of time.
However, with an average age of 83.5, stiff backs, creaky knees and labored breathing were common as players from the three SFL teams slogged through opening games under a scorching sun last Wednesday.
But instead of slowing down, Nomura also spent the weekend kicking the ball around with his daughter and granddaughter, teaching them tricks and increasing their love of the game.
“Sometimes I go to watch the seniors play, and then I feel like I have to work hard,” says his 48-year-old daughter Yuriko.
“I really admire him. I hope to be like him and keep playing when I’m older.”
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