A very interesting fact is that, even with vastly different cultures, there is a trait surprisingly common in both Spanish and Japanese cultures: family. Both cultures have parents and kids stay together until the kids mid-20s, and both take care of the parents when they become older. It feels very weird when watching USA movies for most Spanish people as there's almost a business relationship between parents and kids (and don't even get me started with the military "yes sir" style).
Now I don't know if it's related or not to life expectancy, but it's a very curious common bit in very different cultures otherwise. This probably also affect to many other parts of life/politics in more subtle ways (safety nets, depression, health culture/care, etc).
I beg to differ as if we were to judge purely based on this logic China and India would have probably also been at the top of the curve, which is not really true. Both of these countries greatly value family and it's quite typical for people to stay with their parents well into 30's and beyond.
What logic? I didn't say it's related to life expectancy, just that it'd a curious random fact about those two countries at the top. It might be related, or not, but I cannot say either way.
In fact, it would surprise me greatly if there was a single culture trait linked to life expectancy, instead I'd expect it to be a combination of vastly different things that make us get to the top.
Oh cmon, while I think my statement is relevant I cannot tell whether it's (co)related or not. Those are very different topics and you are mixing them up together.
Life expectancy will definitely be a multi-variate equation. I don't know how much the family play the role. But, India and China with nourishment, clean drinking water, basic sanitation, pollution etc as other variables do not negate it.
I used to believe it was a strong positive, but some japanese said it was a burden to them. I'd love to know more about the topic though. I know that subpar family relationships can remove a lot of good things in your life (family reunions, holidays, birthdays etc) and that isolation costs financially and emotionally.
Now I don't know if it's related or not to life expectancy, but it's a very curious common bit in very different cultures otherwise. This probably also affect to many other parts of life/politics in more subtle ways (safety nets, depression, health culture/care, etc).