Moai: The Japanese Tradition That Leads to a Longer, Happier Life

In our quest for health, we often focus on the essentials: what we eat, how much we exercise, and how well we sleep.  These are all vital, but so too are our intangible needs for meaningful relationships and purpose.

Among some of the healthiest, and longest-living people on the planet, tending to these intangible aspects is a core part of the culture and reflected in practices like moai. Moai is one of the reasons the people on the Japanese island of Okinawa live so long and so well.

Moai are a group of lifelong friends who support each other socially, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. This somewhat formalized relationship is established during childhood and is meant to endure throughout one’s lifetime.

Moai meet regularly—monthly, weekly, or even daily—to chat, reminisce, share advice, and support each other through whatever may be happening in their lives. Many Japanese belong to more than one moai.

The word moai means to “meet for a common purpose.”

This Japanese tradition has endured for hundreds of years and still survives (and thrives) on Okinawa. Moai has gained attention recently because of the Blue Zones research conducted by author and National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner. According to the research, moai are considered one of the reasons Okinawa boasts the highest concentration of centenarians in the world.

Okinawans and the Secrets of Longevity

Researchers have been trying to determine what makes Okinawa and its residents so extraordinary for decades. According to a BBC article, for every 100,000 inhabitants, Okinawa has 68 centenarians—more than three times the numbers found in U.S. populations of the same size. Even by Japanese standards, Okinawans are remarkable, with a 40 percent greater chance of living to 100 than other Japanese people.

Far from a recent trend, Okinawans have lived long lives for centuries. In the rural village of Ogimi, located in the north of Okinawa’s main island, there is a small stone marker engraved in Japanese with a declaration from the village elders. Roughly translated, it reads:

“At eighty, you are merely a youth; at ninety, if the ancestors invite you into heaven, ask them to wait until you are one hundred … and then you might consider it.”

So, what can we learn from Okinawans? Craig Willcox, a professor of public health and gerontology at Okinawa International University, says it comes down to three factors—diet, social practices, and genetics. Mr. Willcox is also a co-principal investigator of the Okinawa Centenarian Study, which has been investigating Okinawan longevity since 1975.

“About two-thirds of longevity is related to diet and way of life; the rest is genetics. Generally speaking, you need the genetic rocket booster if you want to get into the hundreds, not just a good diet,” Mr. Willcox says. “We haven’t looked into whether or not Okinawa has a genetic advantage over other parts of Japan, but longevity does run in families here.”

Then there is the way social support is built into Okinawan society through moai. This social mechanism brings groups of people with shared interests together, allowing them to develop strong emotional bonds that last a lifetime. Mr. Buettner says that’s a crucial element to living a long life, noting that “loneliness is as bad for you as smoking.”

Mr. Willcox notes that belonging to multiple moai is common. “I know one man in Ogimi who is in seven,” he says. “And people are loyal to their moai; I met a group of 80-year-old women on an outlying island who had been in a moai together since they were in elementary school. I’m in one, too—our common interest is slow food.”

The History of Moai

Moai have a long history in Japan, originating hundreds of years ago as a way for villages to create their own financial support system. Moai were originally formed to pool the resources of an entire village for different projects or public works. If someone in the village needed money to buy land, pay medical bills, or deal with an emergency, the money was raised locally to help members of the community.

Today, moais have evolved into more of a social support network, helping people stay connected and involved in their communities from childhood, all the way to their 100s and beyond.

The Science of Social Connections

Scientific studies have also demonstrated the impact social connections have on our health and well-being.

Social Relationships and Health, a landmark study published in Science in 1988 , already noted that research has established that social relationships impact health and that prospective studies consistently showed an increased risk of death among those with few and even low-quality social relationships. The study also says that research on humans and animals suggests that social isolation, or the lack of social connections, is a major risk factor for mortality from a wide variety of causes. In the decades since, these findings have continually been affirmed.

A 2017 article, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, explains that from psychological theories to recent research, there is significant evidence that social support and feeling connected can help people maintain a healthy body mass index, control blood sugar, improve cancer survival, decrease cardiovascular mortality, decrease depressive symptoms, mitigate post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and improve overall mental health. The article adds that the opposite of social connection—social isolation—has an adverse effect on health and can increase depressive symptoms as well as mortality.

Final Thoughts

Research has shown that the quantity and quality of our social relationships impact our health and well-being. Those with close connections to others generally experience less stress, are happier, and live longer. Conversely, older people who don’t have close friendships are more likely to develop chronic diseases, like heart disease, diabetes, and depression, and are at higher risk of stroke.

So, although eating well, limiting stress, and getting good quality sleep are important factors for a healthy life, so too is talking to your neighbor and making time regularly to meet with friends. Of course, social ties aren’t just a matter of health, they also make our time here a little more enjoyable—and spread that joy to others.