Measures of physical activity and exercise for health promotion by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

抄録

The mean number of steps taken by a person, per day in Japan, has decreased significantly over the past 10 years to approximately 1000 steps a day; and the number of people that exercise regularly, among the working population between 20 and 60 years of age, is also decreasing. Such reductions in physical activity and regular exercise are of great concern regarding the health of the Japanese. Healthy Japan 21 (2nd series), a new measure being launched in 2013, will set goals for individuals, such as “increase the number of steps taken,” and “increase the percentage of people that exercise regularly”, as well as goals for regions and municipalities, such as “increase the number of cities facilitating physical activities” and “support municipalities working to improve an active environment”. At present, to enhance physical activity among the Japanese population, the Exercise and Physical Activity Reference (EPAR) for Health Promotion 2006 is being revised to include directions for setting new references of physical activity (including exercise) in leisure time for the elderly, expressed in an easy to understand manner, such as by number of steps or duration of activity, e.g., “let's move our body 10 min more a day”. Healthy Japan 21 (2nd series) and the new EPAR for health promotion should be utilized to involve a variety of social resources for improving physical activity and exercise habits of the Japanese.