As Japan prepares for the 2007 retirement flood of baby boomers, an increasing number of middle-aged and older people are taking an active interest in cooking or music as a means to enjoy life in their golden years.
The Better Home Association, a foundation that researches consumer issues, has risen to the occasion by offering cooking classes, and musical instrument maker Yamaha Corp. is doing likewise with music. Both pursuits are proving popular nationwide.
Students include people in their 80s, indicating some retirees are making an active effort to get out and enjoy life instead of staying at home.