88% of them are women... More than 107,000 Japanese surpass the age of 100

In Japan, a country that has witnessed a declining population for decades, a specific age group is seeing notable growth: the number of Japanese people aged 100 or older has surpassed the 100,000 mark for the first time, setting a new record that reflects the country’s longevity.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on Tuesday that the number of centenarians reached 107,677 in September, an increase of nearly 8,000 from the previous year, marking the 56th consecutive year of growth, according to CNN.

Women make up the overwhelming majority of centenarians, with 94,298 women, accounting for 88 percent of all individuals over the age of 100.

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno told reporters, “I am very pleased that such a large number of people continue to live active, healthy lives for a long time.”

Japan is among the countries with the highest life expectancies globally, with an average life expectancy of 84 years in 2024, according to World Bank data, compared to 79 years in the United States.

Scientists attribute Japan’s longevity to several factors, including a balanced diet and an advanced healthcare system. Some Japanese also embrace the philosophy of “ikigai,” which centers on finding meaning, value, and purpose in life.

Japan is home to some of the oldest people in the world, including Fuyo Kitamura, a 114-year-old woman from Kyoto, and Hikaru Kato, a 112-year-old man from Kumamoto, according to the Health Ministry.

However, the rising number of centenarians comes as Japan faces growing demographic challenges, with a continuing population decline, rising elderly care costs, and a shrinking workforce.

Japan’s population stands at approximately 123 million, but it continues to shrink as birth rates hit record lows.