TOKYO - Average life expectancy in Japan rose for both men and women last year for the first time in two years, with Japanese women retaining the world's top ranking for the 41st consecutive year. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, average life expectancy stood at 87.33 years for women and 81.35 years for men. The ministry said life expectancy increased despite higher death rates from old age and pneumonia because mortality from cancer and COVID-19 declined. Life expectancy exceeded 50 for the first time in 1947, reaching 50.06 years for men and 53.96 years for women. By 1960, life expectancy had risen to 65.32 years for men and 70.19 years for women.