With all its concrete, which will surely only increase due to bureaucratic self interest, Tokyo, as well as Japan in general, often offers one a very grey landscape to look upon. And now, with its old people living ever longer, and kids not especially common, it’s a colour that not only has other connotations, but future complications.
Dean says
That is so NOT the Japan of my dreams……………..
Lee says
Maybe not Dean, but it could well be the Japan of the future.
Linette says
Can she not stand up?
Lee says
Not sure, but from what I saw of her, that seems to be the most she can straighten up. Osteoporosis, from my admittedly limited knowledge of the subject, does seem to be a problems for a large number of Japanese old ladies.
Jozee says
Japan full of immigrants will lose its culture and uniqueness… imagine a Japan full of Indians and PRCs with their own culture diluting the current one. It won’t be the current city you see.. instead u will see a mumbai or a beijing
Grass Jelly says
Mumbai or Beijing? I think that’s a little extreme. Having witness it first hand, you underestimate cultural assimilation.
Grass Jelly says
I admire the elderly in Japan, they stay amazingly active in their daily chores and other activities. Any idea why she was up and about?
Lee says
Yes, the farmers in particular amaze me. Working in the fields everyday at tremendously advanced ages.
Not sure what she was up to. I think she may have come out of the building on the left, but I’ve no idea where she was headed.
Chris says
Looks like my neighbor. Moving around with what must be an invisible life support system because I don’t know how some of them get out of bed much less walk around.
naie says
Oh man, that’s such a sad photo. One of the worst things in life must be living til a ripe old age but with nobody to care for you 🙁
Eric says
Lots of great photos on this site, but this is one of my faves now. Well captured!
Osteoporosis is surely to blame in many cases, but farming – manual, bent-over farming – combines with osteoporosis in a nasty way.
Lee says
Thanks Eric!
Yeah, bent over in the fields for hours on end, year after year, really can’t do the back any good at all.
Edgar says
Firts of all i wants to say that you have a great collections here.
I really admired the photo, it probably look sad but the image show a lot of history and the reality that we go thesame stage some day.
I still have my mother, who is now 89 and be celebrating her 90th bday on April, 2011.
She still move around the house by her own and take care of her self very well…just thru her doctor advice we have to watch her closely…afraid she will fall, hip fracture is very common among this ages…. one thing that we can leave her home alone anymore….what amaze me with your picture is that she was all alone by her self. WOW!
Edgar says
correction: we can not leave her home alone anymore.
Lee says
Cheers Edgar. Yes, in some ways the photo is a bit sad, and yet, as you say, she is still getting about on her own. Plus, above all else, she’s been lucky enough to get to a ripe old age.