Differences and Similarities between American and Japanese Seniors

              In Japan, the population of seniors has been increasing recently. One of the reasons might be the average life expectancy of Japanese is perhaps the longest in the world. On the other hand, American seniors’ population also has been rising. It often happens in developed countries that the rates of seniors increase. In other words, there are many seniors both in America and Japan. However, I was wondering how seniors here differ from Japanese ones. I would like to compare them.

              I think there are not only differences but also similarities between American and Japanese seniors. I have been to several senior centers as a part of my community service learning, and I came to understand a little American seniors’ way of living there. All senior centers where I have visited have some classes in which seniors are interested, and also interesting things tend to let most seniors have their hobby. Most seniors who frequent the centers are taking the classes as their hobby. However, it is unusual that Japanese senior centers have classes like American ones, so most Japanese seniors are not taking any classes at their centers. Japanese seniors who frequent the centers where they do not have any classes might just hang out with each other. But some Japanese seniors have their hobbies because my grandparents found something interesting by themselves. My grandmother likes dancing one of the Japanese traditional dances, and my grandfather is engaged in volunteer activity. Not only my grandparents, but most seniors in Japan must have some hobbies. In my opinion, the hobbies let seniors’ life be more wonderful, so seniors from any country seek their meaning of living. Seniors from Japan also are active as well as American ones at looking for their hobbies.

              In conclusion, American seniors differ and also are similar to Japanese seniors. One of differences is whether taking or not taking classes at a senior center. One of the similarities is that both of them are active at looking for their meaning of living. Either way, they like their hobbies.