Sourcing

Every health-related claim we publish is grounded in at least one identifiable source. Our primary sources include:

• Peer-reviewed publications, primarily PubMed-indexed studies
• Japanese cohort studies (JPHC, Ohsaki, Nakanojo, Kyotango longevity program data)
• Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare statistics
• Prefectural and municipal public health reports
• Established Japanese-language reporting (NHK, Asahi Shimbun health desk, regional newspapers in longevity hotspots)
• For products: manufacturer specifications cross-referenced with independent reviews

Evidence-level labeling

We aim to make the strength of evidence visible to the reader. We use three rough categories:

• Robust evidence: large cohort studies, meta-analyses, or replicated findings.
• Suggestive but preliminary: smaller studies, mechanistic plausibility, in vitro or animal-only evidence.
• Cultural / traditional: practices with strong cultural standing but limited or no controlled study evidence.

We do not pretend that "the Japanese have always done X, therefore X works." Cultural practice is interesting context; it is not biomedical evidence.

AI-assisted production

Articles are drafted using large language models with structured prompts referencing our own master data files (foods, supplements, research summaries). The output is reviewed against those master files before publication. We disclose this approach openly because we believe it is the responsible application of available tools, with the same accountability we would apply to any editorial process.

Health claims policy

We do not use the words "treats," "cures," "prevents," "heals," "reverses," or "eliminates" in connection with food, supplements, or practices. We use language that reflects what the research actually shows: "associated with," "linked to," "may support," "in studies has correlated with."

This policy reflects both scientific honesty and applicable regulation, including US FDA and Japanese 薬機法 (Pharmaceutical Affairs Act) restrictions on health claims for non-drug products.

Corrections

Errors will happen. When they do, we correct them at the article level with a dated note at the top of the affected piece.

Disclosures

We disclose affiliate relationships at the top of every article that contains affiliate links. We disclose any free product samples received in the relevant article. We do not accept payment for positive coverage of specific products.

What we are not

We are not licensed medical professionals. Nothing we publish is medical advice. The site is informational, intended to support informed conversations with qualified healthcare professionals.

Updates to this page

Material changes to these standards will be summarized at the top of this page with a dated note.