Nenlympic Kagoshima 2008 (Japan Oct.08)
  The 21st annual Nenlympics, a nationwide festival of culture, sports, health and welfare for the aged was held in Kagoshima for 4 days from Oct. 25 (Sat.) to Oct. 28 (Tue.) 2008. The Nenlympics, sponsored by the Foundation of Social Development for Senior Citizens, the parent body of ILC-Japan, is a a traditional and prestigious event as His Imperial Highness Prince & Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi attend its opening ceremony.
About 540,000 people participated in total from all over Japan this year and they expanded the wave of exchange beyond generations. As many as 10,000 players aged 60 or older including the oldest man aged 93 from Aomori played exciting games in 25 kinds of sports and culture activities. The audience especially enjoyed the friendly soccer game, which the Mexico Olympics bronze medalists Mr. Kamamoto (64) and Mr. Sugiyama (67) participated in. All generations old and young enjoyed a variety of events like symposiums, music festivals, senior fashion shows, etc.
*Origin of the word Nenlympics : Since the cumulative experience of older people is likened to annual ring of trees (Nenrin) in Japan, the words Nenrin and the Olympics are combined unto the word Nenlympics.
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