Column Finance and the Social Security System 2019.02.27
【Aging, safety net and fiscal crisis in Japan】No.168: High salt intake
The World Health Organization sets the target for daily salt intake for adults at 5 g per day. This number was much higher in Japan in 2007, with an average of 12.0 g for males, 10.3 g for females, and 11.1 g per day combined. However, the overall average has decreased to 9.9 g in 2017, mainly due to the government's educational initiatives (Figure 1). The government aims to lower this number to 8 g by 2022.
Figure 2 shows the salt intake per day by age group in 2017. The figure also indicates that the salt intake of both males and females is the highest in their 60s.
Figure 1: Salt intake per day for adults
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
Figure 2: Salt intake per day by age group in 2017
Source: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare