Another Boring Story About Aging - Is there that much of a difference between growing older and just plain getting old?

Oh no. No no no no no, this is bad! What is so bad, you might ask? It’s obvious! The time has come to count how much time I have left in my life. “It’s only a few more nights until New Year’s”*, except It’s not New Year’s, but in 2 days I will be turning the age that will make me eligible to start receiving my pension. In the not too far off future, the day will come when I won’t wake up again and now that I’m being forced to think about these last moments, all that comes out of my mouth is “Crap, this bad!”

News reports about the passing of celebrities are broadcasted every day. Until a couple of decades ago, the age gap between the deceased and me was well over 50 years, so I had never really thought about death. However, the gap has gradually been getting closer from 30 years to 20 years, and now it is 10 years, or maybe that’s now even less than 10 years. Hmmm... I can only say, “Damn.”

However, the more I think about it, even Sakamoto Ryoma died at the age of 31. He didn’t live half as long as my age now. Saigo Takamori died at 49. He was another one who died young. What about the great men from the further distant past? Toyotomi Hideyoshi died at the age of 61, and Oda Nobunaga died at 47. At least I have already surpassed the age of these great heads of state. So, have I achieved longevity yet? What about Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Edo period when the nation became peaceful? He died at the age of 73. My initial goal was to surpass Ieyasu and since I am almost there, I have to do my best to keep living.

The celebrities I am currently keeping track of are Takeshi Kitano (75 years old), Tamori (77 years old), and Sanma Akashiya (67 years old). I feel that if they keep appearing on TV, then I’ll have motivation to keep working. However, once one of them kicks the bucket, I’m afraid that the rest will follow, and then my turn will eventually come. Oh, I also want to mention two more people. One is Eikichi Yazawa, who is still active and full of energy at the age of 73. His stage performances are still brilliant. The other is Mick Jagger, the world-famous rock star who still dances around on stage at 79. These guys always inspire me to keep going.

Anyway, recent advances in medical science are contributing to humans living longer. The Bible states that the age of mankind is 120. In other words, 120 years is the maximum lifespan. As if to confirm this statement, modern medicine is feverishly working towards raising the retirement age to what I think is 120? Scientists are now tackling longevity and anti-aging technology as a plethora of research is coming out. Therefore, perhaps I’m still at the halfway point of my life. Whaaaat? Could this be true? I could literally be talking while I’m in a dream state!

The important things in life are to work hard, eat well, and sleep well every day. One must also maintain good health. Nothing is better than achieving this balance. Taking a bath feels so much better and a glass of beer tastes more delicious after sweating from running around all day at work. The real taste of beer is so different that it is no exaggeration to say that anyone who has worked hard and has a parched throat can tell you how amazing that feeling is! This is why I still fly and run around everywhere like I did in my thirties without worrying too much about my age. Tomorrow, I’m going to run straight up to Mount Ishizuchi non-stop again. I try to do my best only because I look forward to the delicious beer and food afterwards. I don’t have time to think about my age, and in the end, it doesn’t really matter. Now my sleep talking has made me write so much that now I feel as if I’m dreaming...

*Editor’s note: The author is referring to the lyric, “It’s only a few more nights until New Year’s” which is from the old Japanese New Year’s song, “Oshogatsu”.