America's Health Reform: Lessons from Japan's Model

America faces a long-overdue health reform. Japan's 'Health Japan 21' program, with its national targets and mandatory health screenings, has achieved an average life expectancy of 84 years, while the U.S. sees the richest men living 14.6 years longer than the poorest—a gap driven by both healthcare access and lifestyle choices. The U.S.'s 'personal freedom' ethos leaves health as a luxury. Boulder, Colorado's sugar-sweetened beverage tax, which funds healthy alternatives, provides a model. Yet Japan's strict targets (e.g., reducing daily salt intake to 1 teaspoon) would face uproar in the U.S. For the U.S. to adopt Japan's 'superaged society' solutions, it must prioritize preventive care and equitable access. The success of such reforms could reshape investor risk assessments on long-term healthcare spending.