7　運動による健康長寿の政策支援

Summary 　The impact of physical activity upon medical expenditure and social security was reviewed. Tsuji et al in Japan, based on a prospective observation of the National Health Insurance beneficiaries in Miyagi Prefecture, reported that medical costs significantly reduced with longer time spent walking. Per capita medical cost was 20,124 yen per month in those who walked for 30 minutes or less per day, 19,458 yen in those who walked for 30 minutes-1 hour, and 17,514 yen in those who walked 1 hour or more.Keeler et al inUSA estimated the impact of sedentary life-style upon external costs such as health insurance, sick-leave coverage, retirement pension, income taxes, and so forth. They reported that a sedentary life style would incur $1,900 of lifetime external cost, and concluded that the subsidy is a rationale for public support to increase exercise. Then, public policies of the Japanese Government for physical activity were introduced. Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has been implementing programs toward the realization of a "lifelong sports society".According to the Ministry, the proportion of adults who engage sports activity on one or more days per week increased from 27.0% in 1985 to 45.3% in 2009.