Japan's centenarian population exceeds 100,000 for the first time

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced Tuesday that the country's centenarian population has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 people in September. This represents an increase of almost 8,000 from the previous year and marks the 56th consecutive year of increase since records began in 1963. Women account for 94,298 people, or 88% of the total.

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno expressed satisfaction with the development, stating he was "very pleased that so many people are remaining active and healthy for so long." Japan has consistently ranked among the world's longest-living nations, with average life expectancy reaching 84 years in 2024 according to World Bank data, compared with 79 in the United States. Researchers attribute this longevity partly to wholesome diets, an advanced healthcare system, and the cultural concept of "ikigai," which encourages individuals to find purpose and meaning in daily life. The ministry highlighted that some of the world's oldest people reside in Japan, including a 114-year-old woman in Kyoto and a 112-year-old man from Kumamoto.

Nevertheless, the rising number of centenarians reflects the deepening demographic challenge confronting the world's fourth-largest economy. Japan's overall population, now 123 million, continues to decline as birth rates reach record lows, intensifying pressure on elderly care costs and reducing the national workforce.