Kochi, Oct 19
In Okinawa, Japan’s southern island paradise, living past 100 is not a rare feat but a way of life. The elderly still cycle to markets, cultivate home gardens, and share laughter over bowls of humble fermented soybean dishes.
This remarkable longevity — rooted in balance, purpose, and natural nutrition — is now finding an echo in Kerala, where the Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce Kerala (INJACK) envisions a new chapter in wellness innovation.
At the recently held Japan Mela 2025, the spotlight wasn’t solely on trade or technology. It was on how the Okinawan philosophy of health and the science behind a fermented soybean enzyme, Nattokinase, could transform Kerala into a natural health hub.
“Okinawa’s people don’t just live long; they live well,” said K. Elangovan, former Additional Chief Secretary of Kerala and Honorary Vice President of INJACK. “Their diet — rich in fermented soy — maintains the body’s natural balance. It’s not about miracle cures but about how everyday food sustains life. That’s a lesson Kerala can learn and localize.”
Elangovan revealed that several Japanese companies are exploring partnerships with Kerala-based firms to synthesise Nattokinase and develop enzyme-based health supplements. “Japanese firms view Kerala as an ideal collaborator — we have biodiversity, clean water and air, and a deep Ayurvedic tradition that aligns perfectly with natural wellness,” he noted.
One Kerala company is already leading the way. Synthite Industries, a global leader in spice and natural extracts, has launched a supplement inspired by Japan’s longevity research. “Our Nattokinase-based product is in clinical testing, and the results are encouraging,” said Viju Jacob, Executive Chairman of Synthite and Honorary President of INJACK. “We’re expanding our nutraceutical portfolio to bring these benefits to the world.”
Okinawa’s model of health has long intrigued scientists. Since the 1970s, the Okinawa Centenarian Study has revealed the islanders’ extraordinarily low rates of heart disease, cancer, and dementia — a result of a plant-based diet, daily physical activity, close-knit social circles, and a philosophy called Ikigai — living with purpose.
At the heart of their diet lies Natto, the sticky, pungent fermented soybean dish containing Nattokinase — first discovered by Dr. Hiroyuki Sumi in 1980. The enzyme promotes healthy blood flow and cardiovascular function, underpinning Okinawa’s enviable vitality.
The Okinawan saying “Nuchi Gusui” — “food is medicine for life” — mirrors Kerala’s Ayurvedic belief that true wellness begins in the kitchen. As Japan’s science meets Kerala’s tradition, a new era of natural health innovation may be on the horizon — one where both cultures reaffirm that longevity is not a luxury, but a lifestyle.
