The Japanese government announces Friday Japanese women had a life expectancy of 85.59 years in 2004, making them the world's longest-lived for the 20th straight year.

Japanese men were not far behind with a life expectancy of 78.64 years. Surprisingly, Icelandic men fare better, with an average lifespan of 78.8 years.

A spokeswoman for the Health Ministry says Japanese longevity can be attributed to a healthy diet, which tends to be rich in vegetables and fish, as well as improved medical care in the region.