The massive loss of life in last year’s tsunami disaster in Japan has trimmed the average life expectancy of the country’s women, knocking them off the top of the global longevity chart for the first time in 26 years, according to government data.

The health and labour ministry said the average lifespan of Japanese women fell by 0.4 years to 85.9 years in 2011, putting it behind that of women in Hong Kong who average 86.7 years.

The large number of elderly victims was a defining characteristic of the disaster in March 2011, which killed almost 16,000 people and left about 3,000 unaccounted for. National police agency statistics show that more than 56% of those who died were aged 65 or older, and almost three-quarters of those missing were over 60.

More than 90% of the victims drowned or died from injuries sustained in the tsunami, compared with a tiny number who perished in the magnitude-9 earthquake that preceded it. In small towns and fishing communities with ageing populations, many victims were unable to flee quickly enough before being swept away by the waves. Others were stranded at home and could not be reached in time by younger neighbours.

The high number of suicides also played a role in the drop in women’s longevity, the ministry said. Suicide rates have fallen slightly among men in recent years but have risen among women. The number of suicides in Japan exceeded 30,000 last year for the 14th consecutive year.

The average life expectancy among Japanese men fell slightly to 79.44 years, leaving them level with Italians in the global rankings. Swiss men head the chart with an average life expectancy of 80.2 years.

Experts attribute Japan’s impressive longevity statistics to a diet low in fat – though high in salt – and to strong relationships with neighbours, universal access to healthcare and a comfortable standard of living after retirement.

Despite the slight drop in life expectancy, the ministry figures show that a large proportion of Japanese will live well into old age, with more than 45% of women and 20% of men expected to celebrate their 90th birthday.

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