An Exploratory Comparative Study on Jeju and Okinawa as Healthy and Longevity Cities

Abstract

Jeju and Okinawa are being studied in various academic fields, but studies on the two islands are rare as healthy longevity cities. At this point in Korea, where the super-aged society is in front of us, the two cities were compared and analyzed to build a city that enjoys a healthier and more vibrant old age. The purpose of this study is to derive the common factors and their implications of the two cities and provide us with basic information to prepare for a super-aged society that is perceived as vague anxiety. To achieve this, basic research and exploratory research methods were adopted, and the two cities were compared and analyzed using a synchronic approach and diachronic approach to identify the factors of health longevity. Due to the synchronic approach, the natural environment (island, climate, landscape, and regimen) was significantly different from the mainland, and the climate warm enough to develop the tourism industry by utilizing it produced optimistic residents. History (4.3 Uprising in the middle of the 20th century, Battle of Okinawa) was analyzed using a synchronic approach, which also had a modern history that was not experienced on the mainland. In addition, as a cultural factor, there was a similarity in experiencing a cooperative community culture. In order to prepare for an age-friendly future, more in-depth research is required in various fields. Basically, considering humans in the environment, there must be an attempt to approach the environment by integrating the environment of history and cooperative community culture in addition to the physical environment (nature, regimen, climate, geography) and social environment (local participation, exchange, social activities).