Many Japanese Seniors Wish They'd Studied More
As we get older, we often look back at the things we have — or haven't — done, and wonder if there's anything we regret.
These thoughts aren't always very useful, because we can't change the past!
But last year, the Japan Institute of Life Insurance decided to ask some of the country's older people about their regrets.
About 2,000 people aged 60 and over took part in the survey.
The most common regret was: "I wish I had studied more." Around 57% of people agreed — or somewhat agreed — with this idea.
Other common regrets included not saving enough money, not doing enough exercise and not spending enough time with family.
The participants were also asked if there was anything they wished they could do again. About a quarter said: "learning."
However, 12% of people said there was nothing they wished they could do again.
People who were aged 60 last year were born at a time when higher education in Japan was expanding.
However, in 1960, only about one 18-year-old in 10 went into higher education after high school.
Many of today's older senior citizens may not have had the opportunity to study after finishing high school.
By 1975, about 40% of 18-year-olds went into higher education in Japan. Now it's around 80%.
But it's never too late to start studying — and experts say it's great for our health to keep learning later in life.
