The Secret to Longevity

In Japan, a moai is a social group that provides support for social, financial, health, or spiritual interests. According to Aislinn Leonard, the business coordinator of Blue Zones, an organization inspired by the world’s longest-living cultures, elders in Okinawa, Japan, live longer, and better, than almost anyone else in the world, thanks to moai.  On average, an Okinawan woman lives eight years longer than an American woman.

Originally, moais were formed to pool the resources of a village for projects or public works. If an individual needed capital to buy land or take care of an emergency, the only way was to pool their money.

Today the idea has expanded to become a cultural tradition for built-in companionship. Across Okinawa, friends meet for a common purpose to gossip, experience life, and to share advice and even financial assistance when needed. Traditionally, groups of about five young children were paired together and made a commitment to each other for life. 

One Okinawa elder, Klazuko Manna, said women in a moai have a deep support and respect for each other: “Each member knows that her friends count on her as much as she counts on her friends. If you get sick or a spouse dies or if you run out of money, we know someone will step in and help. It’s much easier to go through life knowing there is a safety net.” Even today, about half of Okinawans participate in a moai, and many are in more than one.

Research shows that social connections can have a long-term impact on health and happiness. People without close friends are more likely to develop chronic diseases.  If you share similar values, healthy habits, and life goals, you’re likely to experience less stress, be happier, and live longer.

The founder of Blue Zones, Dan Buettner, first used the term in an article he wrote for National Geographic magazine in 2005 about longevity and happiness.