More than 100,000 people in Japan are now 100 years of age or olderSkip to contentWatch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessWorld of BusinessTechnology of BusinessNYSE Opening BellTechnologyWatch DocumentariesArtificial IntelligenceIntelligence RevolutionAI v the MindTech NowHealthWatch DocumentariesCultureWatch DocumentariesFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsWatch DocumentariesArts in MotionTravelWatch DocumentariesDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of the Earth EarthWatch DocumentariesScienceNatural WondersClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoWatch DocumentariesBBC MaestroDiscover the WorldLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesSite searchHomeNewsSportBusinessTechnologyHealthCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveMore than 100,000 people in Japan are now aged 100 or older2 days agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKurumi Mori,Tokyo correspondentandIssey IzumiGetty ImagesWhen records began in 1963 there were only 153 centenarians in Japan - now there are 107,677The number of people aged 100 or more in Japan has exceeded 100,000 for the first time, according to the health ministry.Figures show Japan is now home to 107,677 centenarians, the highest number in the world, of whom 88% are women. The oldest woman is Kishimoto Fuyo, a 114-year-old from Kyoto City and the oldest man is Kato Hikaru, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto.Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said he was "delighted that so many people are living long, healthy and active lives", citing progress in medicine and technology. But Kenichiro also warned of the challenge the country faces in maintaining a sustainable social security system.Experts put the long lives of the Japanese down to several factors, including a healthy diet and an active lifestyle.The island nation's cuisine predominantly consists of fish, vegetables, and rice - and less saturated fat than many Western diets. Older people also regularly walk, use public transport, cycle and stretch.Japan has been aging for years and sales of adult nappies have been higher than those for babies for more than a decade.Companies have also developed new products for the older population, including a powered exoskeleton to support moving various parts of the body and eyewear that automatically adjusts its focus.Getty ImagesJapanese people's diets - largely consisting of fish, vegetables and rice - are thought to contribute to living longerFor a population to replace itself, each woman needs to give birth to 2.1 children on average. Last year Japan's total fertility rate dropped to a record low of 1.14. The total population is estimated to drop to 87 million by 2070, representing a 30% decline from its peak of 128 million in 2008, according to data from the National Institute of Population and Social Security research.Residents aged 65 and older currently make up around 30% of the population and are expected to make up nearly 40% by 2070.Japanese authorities have called the trend an "existential crisis" with Prime Minister Sanae Takichi describing the decline as a "quiet emergency".In 2025 Japan's total population decreased in all 47 prefectures but two, and the rate of decline is accelerating.The government's many programmes and subsidies to encourage young people to have more children do not appear to be boosting birth rates.Experts say the reasons are complex, ranging from lower marriage rates and more women joining the workforce to the increased costs of raising children. While immigration has risen in previous years, foreigners only make up around 3% of the population and opposition to accepting more has grown.AFP via Getty ImagesMigration to Japan has increased in recent years but remains low compared to other major economiesWhen Japan began its centenarian survey in 1963, there were 153 people aged 100 or over. That figure rose to 1,000 in 1981 and stood at 10,000 by 1998.The most recent figures were released ahead of Japan's annual "Respect for the Aged" public holiday, on which the government honours those turning 100 with a personal letter and traditional sake cup.Studies have previously cast doubt on the validity of global centenarian numbers, suggesting data errors, unreliable public records and missing birth certificates may account for elevated figures.A government audit of family registries in Japan in 2010 uncovered more than 230,000 people listed as being aged 100 or older who were unaccounted for, some having died decades previously.The miscounting was attributed to patchy record-keeping and suspicions that some families may have tried to hide the deaths of elderly relatives in order to claim their pensions.A mayor in Japan announced her maternity leave - and got the whole country talkingJapan sets record of nearly 100,000 people aged over 100Japan was the future but it's stuck in the pastJapanAgeing populationRelatedTall athletes can't stretch their legs in container beds at Asian Games, official saysLost on Mount Fuji off-season? 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The demographic landscape of Japan is undergoing a profound transformation, characterized by an increasingly aging population, which has prompted official recognition of this shift as an existential challenge. Recent figures indicate that more than 100,000 people in Japan are now aged 100 or older, establishing the nation as home to the world's highest number of centenarians, with 107,677 recorded. This demographic reality is underscored by the fact that 88% of these centenarians are women, with individuals such as Kishimoto Fuyo (114) and Kato Hikaru (112) setting the age benchmarks. Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno acknowledged the extended lifespans but concurrently highlighted the significant challenge the country faces in ensuring the sustainability of its social security system.

Experts attribute Japan’s longevity to a combination of lifestyle and dietary factors. The traditional diet, predominantly composed of fish, vegetables, and rice, along with lower saturated fat intake compared to many Western diets, is considered a contributing element to long life. Furthermore, older residents maintain active lifestyles, regularly engaging in activities such as walking, utilizing public transportation, cycling, and stretching. Technological advancements have also influenced elder care, with companies developing products such as powered exoskeletons and adaptive eyewear designed to support mobility and focus.

This demographic shift is compounded by severe fertility declines. Japan experienced a record low total fertility rate of 1.14 the previous year, reflecting deeper societal changes. Population projections estimate that the total population will decrease to approximately 87 million by 2070, representing a thirty percent decline from the 2008 peak. The proportion of the population aged 65 and older is currently around thirty percent, and this proportion is projected to approach forty percent by 2070. Japanese authorities have framed this trend as a "quiet emergency," with Prime Minister Sanae Takichi describing the situation as a decline.

The decline in birth rates is attributed to complex socio-economic factors, including lower marriage rates, increased participation of women in the workforce, and the escalating costs associated with raising children. While immigration has increased in recent years, the foreign population remains a small fraction of the populace, at only about three percent, and there is growing opposition to increased immigration. Despite these trends, the accuracy of demographic data has historically been challenged; a 2010 government audit revealed over 230,000 unaccounted elderly individuals in family registries, suggesting issues with record-keeping and potential attempts to conceal deaths, which adds a layer of complexity to accurately assessing these population figures. The aging trend necessitates a focused reevaluation of societal structures, with experts emphasizing that education must become a central focus for policymakers in addressing the forthcoming workforce gap.