"The characteristics of the increase in life expectancy at birth...in Japan were analyzed using the life tables of developed countries in which the values of [life expectancy at birth] were almost the same.  When the decrease in age-specific probability of dying...and its contribution to total gain in [life expectancy at birth] in Japan were compared to those of other developed countries, the decline in [age-specific probability of dying] in prime, middle and old age groups accounts for much of the change; the decrease in this variable for males aged 50 years and over accounted for 35% of the recent increase in [life expectancy at birth].  Well-organized medical care and public services are discussed in relation to this unique and unusually rapid increase in [life expectancy at birth] for the Japanese population."