Japan's centenarian population tops 100,000 for the first time
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has announced that the country counted 107,677 people aged 100 or older in September, a new record. The vast majority of them are women.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has reported that the number of centenarians in the country surpassed 100,000 for the first time in September, reaching 107,677 people. This marks a new record for a nation that has faced a shrinking population for decades.
According to the ministry, the overwhelming majority of these centenarians are women — 94,298 people, or about 88% of the total. The ministry also noted that Japan is home to several of the world's oldest living people, including 114-year-old Fujo Kishimoto and 112-year-old Hikaru Kato.
Government reaction
Japan's Health Minister Keniciro Ueno described the figures positively, telling reporters he was pleased that so many people remain active and healthy over such long lifespans. World Bank data show that Japan consistently ranks among the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world, reaching 84 years in 2024. Experts attribute this longevity to a healthy diet and an advanced healthcare system.
Strain on the economy
At the same time, the growing share of elderly residents is placing increasing pressure on Japan's economy, the fourth largest in the world, by shrinking the available workforce and raising the costs of elderly care. Japan's total population currently stands at around 123 million and continues to decline due to record-low birth rates.
