{
  "id": 8120711,
  "title": "Japan Surpasses 100,000 Centenarians as Colombia Approaches 20,000",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/japan-surpasses-100-000-centenarians-as-colombia-approaches-20-000",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T22:30:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/09/17/japan-surpasses-100k-centenarians-colombia-approaches-20k/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan officially recorded over 100,000 centenarians for the first time in 2026, according to Health Minister Kenji Kanda. The number, which increased by 7,914 from the previous year, is a sign of the country's growing longevity. Women make up 87.6% of Japan's centenarians, with 94,298 aged 100 or older. The milestone comes as Japan's population shrinks and its birth rate remains low, placing pressure on the economy and public services. In contrast, Colombia's national statistics agency estimates that nearly 20,000 people have reached the century mark, based on 2023 projections. Colombia's longevity is uneven, with some municipalities showing higher rates than others. The country's growing elderly population will require increased attention to healthcare, pensions, long-term care, accessible housing, and eldercare support.",
  "summary": "Japan has recorded more than 100,000 people aged 100 or older for the first time, marking a new stage in the country’s decades-long experience of population aging. Colombia’s number is considerably lower, but estimates from its national statistics agency indicate that nearly 20,000 people have also reached the century mark. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}