Japan’s centenarian population crosses 100,000 for first time
By The South Asia Times
TOKYO — Japan’s population of people aged 100 or older has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching a record 107,677 this September, as the country continues to confront one of the world’s most severe aging and population-decline challenges.
The number of centenarians increased by 7,914 from a year earlier, marking the 56th consecutive annual increase, Kyodo News reported, citing data released Tuesday by Japan’s Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
Women overwhelmingly dominate Japan’s centenarian population, accounting for 94,298 people, or 87.6% of the total. The number of male centenarians rose by 1,400 over the previous year, while the number of women aged 100 or older increased by 6,514.
Another 54,294 people are expected to turn 100 during fiscal 2026, an increase of 1,984 from the previous year.
Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno welcomed the rise in longevity, saying advances in medical technology have helped more people live longer and remain active.
But Japan's rapidly aging population is creating growing pressure on the country's social security system, while a declining birthrate is shrinking the working-age population and increasing the financial burden on the government.
- From 153 centenarians to more than 100,000
Japan's centenarian population was only 153 people in 1963, when the government began collecting the data.
The number reached 1,000 in 1981, passed 10,000 in 1998 and exceeded 50,000 in 2012. It has increased every year since 1970.
The average number of centenarians now stands at 87.51 per 100,000 people.
The country's oldest woman is Fuyo Kishimoto, a 114-year-old resident of Kyoto born in December 1911. The oldest man is Hikaru Kato, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto born in May 1914.
Japan's longevity is also reflected in its overall life expectancy. In 2025, average life expectancy stood at 87.33 years for women and 81.35 years for men.
The record number of centenarians highlights both sides of Japan's demographic transformation: advances in healthcare and longevity have enabled millions to live longer, while persistently low birthrates are leaving the country with fewer younger people to support an increasingly elderly population.
