There has been coverage on TV lately here in Japan about several missing or unaccountable CENTENARIANS, from the northernmost island of Hokkaido to the southernmost islands of Okinawa. When I first heard the news, foul play was suspect and there was a case featured that led the viewer to assume that indeed, it was a case of murder for money. However, as other cases were featured, it shed light to the sad fact that for several other reasons, there are just many, many elderly folks that just disappeared or whereabouts have been unknown (for years even), as family members and friends just were not in contact with them at all. The Japanese government is now involved in having local municipalities and officials take into account the whereabouts of all their centenarian residents, whereby door-to-door visits and in some cases, investigations have commenced. As I watched the news, two things came to my mind immediately; the sad truth that yes indeed; unlike days of past, people have become more estranged and disconnected with their own family members within many island cultures, as traditionally, these bonds have always been strong and steadfast. The other thing that came to mind and made me shake my head in amazement was the simple matter-of-fact that since centenarians are so prevalent in Japan, the news of having to check on all the 100+ year-old residents would take awhile and they announced efforts would be made nation-wide to ensure all were accounted for.
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