Why are Koreans generally taller than Japanese?

Question

They both have similar cultures, similar environment, similar diet, similar genes. But why do Koreans usually end up growing taller?

Answer 1

Chinese are generally taller than Japanese, I think. This is my guess. Japan is isolated by water. There weren't many influences from outside for a long time. It was difficult for other genes (none Mongoloid)  to minx in. That is my guess.

Answer 2

the Koreans and the Chinese have a lot Mongolian Genes because Genghis Khan conquered them remember both countries are part the Mongolian empire the Chinese and the Koreans tend to be taller the Japanese because its down to their diets people in Korea and China have better diets then people in Japan the Koreans and the Chinese are taller than the Japanese because they have protein diet which contains low cholesterol and Japanese have a low protein diet which contains high cholesterol thats the reason  the Japanese are shorter than the Koreans and the Chinese you are right Koreans are generally taller Japanese Koreans usually end up growing taller because there diet

Answer 3

The Japanese are renowned for their very low protein diet. This is known to cause hemorrhagic strokes, and the doctors used to advise the Japanese to eat more cholesterol, as their low fat/protein diet makes for very weak blood vessel walls.

Low animal fat/protein usually equates with being shorter. that's probably why they are shorter than Koreans.

The later generations of Japanese are growing a lot taller though.

Answer 4

South Korea has a lot of genes from Northern China because Genghis Khan conquered them. The male height is about 1" taller than the Japanese. This gives you a height chart by nation & race.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_heigh...

On a personal note, I met many Koreans over 6' tall and my girl friend's surname was Kwan (a Chinese name). The Korean male averages nearly 5'9" in height... still nearly 1" taller than the Urban Chinese, but very close to that of well fed Mongolian populations.