One of the easiest ways to reduce medical costs for the elderly, as proven in studies around the world, is to increase the physical fitness of the target population.

This year's summary of key events revolves in around the role of government intervention and the trends that such politically-driven activity will have on our businesses in 2014.

The government announced that it was going to help stimulate the medical sector by creating new guidelines to encourage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to invest in hospitals.

Old people own most of the wealth, and young working tax payers cover the oldies' increasing health care bills.

While every health system has its negatives, Japan's does have some amazing positives.

Being obese is not healthy, but are we going too far in the opposite direction?

... and an ossified Japanese hospital system in a state of financial crisis.

Will Japan's mystifying piece of legislation actually improve safety? Or is it another piece of bureaucratic ridiculousness?

There's plenty to be positive about in the medical industry.

The smelly soy beans have some benefits, you know...