Japan’s government is reporting a new milestone: as of September 1, 2025, there are 99,763 centenarians (people aged 100 or older) living in the country — the highest number ever recorded.
Key Details
- This figure marks 55 straight years of growth in the number of centenarians.
- Of these ~99,763 people, about 88% are women (87,784 women, 11,979 men).
- Japan’s oldest living person is Shigeko Kagawa, aged 114, who lives in Nara Prefecture. The oldest man is Kiyotaka Mizuno, aged 111.
- Experts point to Japan’s lifestyle, including a healthy diet rich in seafood and vegetables, community exercise, strong public health systems, and overall low rates of obesity and associated diseases as major contributing factors.
Challenges & Social Impacts
- While increasing lifespans are a sign of progress, Japan faces serious demographic and economic challenges because of an aging population. Fewer young people, fewer births, and a shrinking labor force are putting pressure on welfare, healthcare, and pension systems.
- The burden of care and services for the elderly is growing, and there’s concern about how to sustain this level of support in the decades ahead.
- The government has been responding with a mix of policies aimed at boosting birth rates (family-friendly policies, childcare support), encouraging active aging, and improving elderly care systems.
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