Number of centenarians in Japan rises past 100,000 despite falling population

The number of centenarians in Japan has risen rapidly even though the trend of declining population has continued for a long time. For the first time in the country’s history the number of people aged 100 years or more has exceeded 100,000. At present the number of centenarians in Japan stands at 107,677.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated this on Tuesday (September 15). According to the ministry’s calculation, the number of centenarians has increased by about 8,000 compared to last year. This marks the 56th consecutive year that the number of people aged 100 years or more has increased in the country.

Among the centenarians the number of women is the highest. 88 percent of the total centenarians are women. In terms of numbers there are 94,298 women and 13,379 men.

Japan’s Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno views this statistic positively. He told journalists that a large number of people are able to lead active and healthy lives for a long time—this is a matter of joy. Japan is also one of the world’s leading countries in terms of longevity. According to World Bank data, the average life expectancy of Japanese people was 84 years in 2024. In the same period the average life expectancy in the United States was 79 years.

According to experts, healthy dietary habits and advanced medical systems are among the main reasons for the longevity of the Japanese. At the same time many people in the country follow the ‘Ikigai’ philosophy. This concept of finding meaning, purpose and joy in life is believed to play a role in keeping the elderly mentally and socially active. At present several of the world’s oldest people also live in Japan. Among them are Fuyo Kishimoto, 114, of Kyoto and Hikaru Kato, 112, of Kumamoto.

However, alongside this success of the rising number of centenarians Japan is also facing a serious demographic crisis. The country’s total population is about 123 million and it is continuously decreasing. At the same time the birth rate has fallen to a record low, reducing the number of working-age people and increasing the cost of elderly care and social security.

Although Japan has increased employment opportunities for skilled and other foreign workers in recent years to address the labour shortage, the government has made some visa conditions stricter due to anti-foreigner sentiment.