Japanese Longevities

I don’t have an answer, yet.

We know they were strictly patrilineal figureheads for most of their history. We know that the succession was mostly bound by coalitional power plays manifesting through sacred ritual. We know that other Japanese institutions are among the oldest living ones.

Perhaps, like the Bristlecone Pine, it’s the harshness of the environment.

Until modern technology and coordination, Japan faced destruction and death from natural disasters at an unusually high rate, thanks to its position in the Ring of Fire.

But we’ll continue looking at succession, turning next to Rome.