{
  "id": 7911980,
  "title": "Centenarians living in Japan exceed 100,000 for the first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/centenarians-living-in-japan-exceed-100-000-for-the-first-time",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T01:00:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260917/p2g/00m/0na/010000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan recently reported that the number of centenarians in the country has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, according to the latest government figures. The Health and Welfare Ministry statistics revealed that there are now 107,677 centenarians living in Japan, representing a 7,914 increase from the previous year. This marks a record high and signals the rapidly aging and declining population of Japan.\n\nNearly 88% of the centenarians are women, with the oldest Japanese woman being Fuyo Kishimoto, a resident of Kyoto who recently turned 114. The oldest Japanese man is Hikaru Kato, aged 112, from Kumamoto in southern Japan.\n\nThe statistics were released to coincide with the annual Respect the Aged Day on September 15th, a day when healthy and active centenarians are honored by the government. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued a letter and presented a silver sake cup to recognize the achievements of these remarkable individuals.\n\nHealth Minister Kenichiro Ueno expressed his satisfaction at the growing number of long, healthy, and active centenarians in Japan. He credited progress in medical technology, healthy lifestyle choices, and diet for this achievement. However, Ueno also emphasized the importance of maintaining a sustainable social security system as Japan's population continues to age and decline.\n\nThere is concern among younger generations, as a recent survey by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research found that over 20% of single men and women aged between 18 and 34 have no intention of ever marrying. Nearly half of these individuals believe that marriage offers no benefit. Health Minister Ueno acknowledged the reasons for this reluctance, including the high costs of raising and educating children, as well as the physical and mental burden on working parents. He assured that the government will continue to address these concerns and work towards reversing the trends associated with Japan's aging population and dwindling birth rates.\n\nJapan's population has been experiencing a drastic decline, with the country's total fertility rate dropping to a record low of 1.14 in 2025. This rate is significantly below the 2.1 children needed to be born per Japanese woman to maintain the current population size. According to experts, Japan's total population stood at 126 million in the 2020 census, with nearly 30% of its residents being 65 or older. Projections estimate that the country's population will decline to 87 million by 2070, with nearly 40% aged 65 or older.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (AP) -- The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan surpassed a record 100,000 this year, the latest government figures show, underscoring t",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "For the first time, Japan has more than 100,000 centenarians",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/for-the-first-time-japan-has-more-than-100-000-centenarians",
        "published": "2026-09-16T07:44:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Centenarians living in Japan exceed 100,000 for the first time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/centenarians-living-in-japan-exceed-100-000-for-the-first-time",
        "published": "2026-09-16T08:33:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}