Japanese women 'have highest life expectancy'

London, July 27 (ANI): Japanese women have topped the world longevity ratings for the 25th straight year, with their average life-span hitting a record high of 86.5 years, the government has reported.

New statistics for 2009 compiled by the Ministry of Health have shown that Japanese women and men extended their average life expectancy to new records - 86.44 years for women and 79.59 years for men, reports the Scotsman.

Average life spans have risen by almost five months for women and nearly four months for men compared to the previous year.

The steady increase in Japan's longevity largely reflects good medical treatment that reduced mortality from cancer, cardiac disorders and strokes - the three main causes of death in Japan - as well as pneumonia, the ministry official said.

Women in Hong Kong came in second in longevity rankings at 86.1 years. France was third, at 84.5, followed by Switzerland at 84.4 years. Qatar topped the men's ranking at 81 years. (ANI)