The ancient Japanese probably would argue with the concept of trying to reach escape velocity. Like they're they will regularly talk about how I'm going to live to be 120. And yet, like that's just because there are so many super centenarians there. But I don't think that's the original purpose. The long life is very likely just the byproduct of a culture that they have created and not the seeking of a culture in life in order to develop a long life.