Tokyo stands out in desire to stay young among 12 Asian cities

The Asian 50s: Youth orientation in 12 Asian cities report is based on Hakuhodo's recent Global HABIT survey of 2,579 males and females aged 50 to 59 in 12 Asian cities: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Metro Manila, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi and Beijing.

The study found that 50s in Tokyo have the strongest desire to stay mentally and physically young (more than 70 per cent), followed by Taipei, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi and Seoul.

Youth orientation exceeds the 12-city average in these six cities, with women’s scores higher than men’s in Tokyo, Taipei and Beijing, but lower than men's scores in Seoul and Ho Chi Minh City.

The survey also shows youth orientation rises with age, in Tokyo and Taipei, from the 20s through the 40s, and peaks among those in their 50s.

Goods and services that emphasise “staying young” have strong potential with Taipei 50s, as they do with Tokyo 50s, the report said.

Meanwhile, around 70 per cent of 50s in Metro Manila and Jakarta are strongly maturity-oriented, while Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong 50s are seen as maturity-oriented.

In Delhi and Hong Kong, people tend to stay physically and mentally young in their 20s, 30s and 40s, while those in their 50s prefer to look and act their age.