At 83, still going strong.

"ONE VOICE" is a rock 'n' roll chorus group of grandpas and grandmas aged 65 and over. Aiming to "live rock 'n' roll" in their second life, they sing songs originally for young people.

They don't just sing the songs; they dance and rock out on stage. With their passionate spirit—"We're going to overturn the conventional wisdom of choirs!" "We won't be confined by any predefined framework!" "We'll keep running forever!"—you can truly feel the rock 'n' roll spirit.

But don't get the wrong idea – they're not some elite group. They're ordinary grandpas and grandmas you'd find anywhere. People who've lived ordinary lives, working hard at their jobs and raising families.

Through my book , Grandpas and Grandmas' Okinawan Rock 'n' Roll ( Poplar Publishing), I had the chance to glimpse the true faces and lives of these members, and I was truly amazed. Each of them has lived their own unique life, yet even past the age of 65, they still possess so many passions.

For example, they're deeply involved in hobbies or volunteer work, still challenging themselves to learn new things, or teaching others... It's almost mystifying where they get all that energy. They're casually enjoying their second act in life. And now, with singing in the chorus added to the mix, their hidden power is simply overwhelming.

They have absolutely no intention of lecturing or boasting to anyone. They're just having a blast within their own world, living life to the fullest at their own pace. That said, they're not shut off in isolation either; they actually quite enjoy interacting with people.

This isn't about special people doing special things; it's the story of truly ordinary grandpas and grandmas. That's precisely why so many people can relate to it, and why it might just offer a hint for tomorrow.

■The oldest member, Grandpa, polished off his bento in one go

Monday is ground golf, Tuesday is Go, Wednesday is ONE VOICE practice. Then on Thursday, he goes bowling and to choir practice, and Friday is ground golf again. If he has no plans on Saturday or Sunday, it's Go.

This is the weekly schedule of Tomoyuki Terado (83), the oldest member of the chorus group. He truly has many hobbies. Moreover, he doesn't dabble in any of them half-heartedly; he thoroughly enjoys each one. For example, he started bowling at 65 and boasts an average score of 180.

Moreover, he serves as president of his local bowling club and has even won a tournament in Okinawa. With many members in their 90s, Mr. Terado says he's "still considered a middleweight." He's a 3-dan in Go, a game he's played since his student days. His singing career is also long-standing; he's been with the local choir for 16 years.

His weight has remained unchanged since his youth at 53 kilograms. Despite being so slim, he effortlessly polishes off the leftover bento boxes from members and staff at events. He also claims to have no major health issues.

That said, she doesn't come across as energetic or flashy. She's more calm and quiet. During practice, she even gives a reserved impression. However, on the actual stage, in those crucial moments, she takes the lead, dancing and singing effortlessly. She exudes an outstanding presence.

This ability to shift between intensity and calm always impresses me. Over many years, Ms. Terado has naturally developed the skill to sustain her enjoyment without pretension or gimmicks, simply by continuing her activities long-term. This is undoubtedly the secret to maintaining such vitality at 83.

■Dreaming of Tokyo Olympics with Singing and Weightlifting

Among the members is one hardcore sports enthusiast: Mr. Hiroyuki Yara (65), a former high school teacher. In his youth, Mr. Yara was actually a renowned weightlifter. In his third year of university, he even became the All-Japan Champion.

Furthermore, as a coach for his high school's weightlifting club, he trained 12 All-Japan Champions. Currently, he coaches Olympic hopefuls, including his own sons. For this sportsman, singing is his passion. He started going to karaoke as an outlet for work stress.

Once he commits to something, Yara goes all out. He joined the Naha City Cultural Association's Karaoke Division and competed in local singing contests. He passionately performed songs like Kiyohiko Ozaki's "Until We Meet Again" and "The Godfather Love Theme," making it all the way to the finals—twice.

Furthermore, he began studying opera 15 years ago and now even instructs voice training locally. When singing, he reveals a gentle smile—a stark contrast to the intense expression seen during weightlifting coaching. His demeanor looks genuinely blissful. His sheer love for singing comes through so naturally that it makes you want to sing along.

Joining the ONE VOICE chorus has allowed Yara-san to steadily develop his dream plan. First, he wants his son to compete as an athlete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with Yara-san stepping onto the Olympic stage as his coach. His second dream is to perform as a member of the chorus during the opening ceremony.

He's experienced the pinnacle of Japan's success both as an athlete and as a coach. Normally, that would be enough to satisfy anyone. But Yara-san doesn't burn out; he keeps finding new goals. I can't help but take my hat off to him.

Even as he ages, he maintains this aggressive attitude, creating his own purpose in life. He is a senior figure who can proudly speak of dreams that anyone else would likely give up on from the start. I can't help but feel proud of him.

■The Secret to Grandpas and Grandmas Living Their Youth to the Fullest

At first glance, Terado and Yara seem like opposites. Yet they share a crucial commonality: they've steadfastly pursued their passions for the long haul. And they didn't start after retirement—they began while still working. After leaving their jobs, they found something to truly immerse themselves in and have dedicated over a decade to it. That's precisely why they now live fulfilling lives with purpose, even after retirement.

Before meeting the chorus members, I never even imagined what life after retirement might be like. I was too busy dealing with what was right in front of me. It felt like something that didn't concern me yet. Maybe I avoided thinking about it, seeing it as something far in the future. But reflecting on the stories of these grandpas and grandmas made me feel a certain urgency and sense of crisis.

A major wave is now sweeping across society as a whole. On the 26th of last month, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced that, based on the 2015 National Census results, the population aged 75 and over had surpassed the number of children aged 14 and under for the first time. Japan is steadily advancing toward an aging society. Creating a society where the senior generation can live vibrantly is an urgent task. I believe the secret to this, including for my own future, lies within ONE VOICE, a group formed by ordinary grandpas and grandmas.

Singing and dancing, their faces flushed, eyes sparkling – it's youth itself. These chorus members are celebrating their youth in life's second stage. Being around them, you feel their energy, gaining vitality and courage.

When I ponder why these grandpas and grandmas before me can radiate such joy now, the answer lies in how they lived during their working years. They didn't scramble to find something to be passionate about after retirement; they either had something outside work they were dedicated to, or they were earnestly seeking it while still employed.

On the other hand, do I have something I'm passionate about right now? Am I even trying to find it? When I ask myself that, the answer is sadly no. If I keep going like this, I might end up lost after retirement... When I turn 65, I learned I must start by re-examining my current way of life to see if I can be as bright and energetic as the grandpas and grandmas in the chorus group.

Just listening to members like Mr. Terado and Mr. Yara is stimulating and thought-provoking. Hearing more from the nearly 40 senior members of the chorus team must offer boundless learning.

While they are a chorus group singing rock, the life stories each member has walked so far are also fascinating. Being such an unconventional artist is the charm of ONE VOICE.