Earthquakes are frequent in Japan. A survey showed that seismic disturbances, mostly of minor nature, occurred more than three times a day. Geological research has shown that, possibly under the continuous impact of these disturbances, the western coast of the Japanese islands is settling, while the Pacific coast is rising. The most disastrous earthquake in Japanese history occurred in 1923. It was centered in Sagami Bay and damaged Tokyo and Yokohama; about 150,000 people were killed by …showed first 75 words of 379 total…

…showed last 75 words of 379 total…cal plan. Social welfare services have greatly expanded since World War II. The entire population is covered by various insurance systems. Most working people once retired at the age of 55, but an increasing life expectancy and government encouragement has extended the average age of retirement to 65. Health conditions are generally excellent. In 1997 life expectancy at birth was 77 years for men and 83 years for women; the infant mortality rate was a very low 4 per 1000 live births.