Number of centenarians in Japan top 100,000 for first time
The number of centenarians in Japan reached 107,677 this year, up 7,914 from last year. Nearly all of them — 94,298 — were women.
Japan's centenarian population surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 this year, according to the health ministry. This represents a significant increase of 7,914 from the previous year. The majority of centenarians are women, with 45,769 turning or expected to turn 100 this year or before March 31 next year. The oldest individual in Japan is 114-year-old Fuyo Kishimoto from Kyoto, who recently surpassed the previous record holder, 115-year-old Shigeko Kagawa from Nara Prefecture.
Hikaru Kato, a 112-year-old man from Kumamoto, holds the title of the oldest Japanese man. Experts attribute Japan's long life expectancy, which ranks 7th for men and 1st for women globally, to a healthy diet, low obesity rates, and universal healthcare. The government aims to extend healthy lifespan by three years for both genders by 2040 compared to 2016 levels.
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