Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced on Elderly Day that the number of people aged 100 and over has surged to 107,677, up by 7,914 from the previous year, marking a record high for the 56th consecutive year. Nearly 90% of this number are women, while the government plans to present certificates of honor and silver cups to celebrate.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan revealed today (15 Sep) that as of 1 September, the nationwide population aged 100 and over stood at 107,677, an increase of 7,914 from the previous year. This is the first time the number has exceeded 100,000 since statistics began in 1963.
This figure has risen continuously for 56 years, with women numbering 94,298 or 87.6% of the total, while men number 13,379. Additionally, 54,294 people are expected to turn 100 within fiscal year 2026, up by 1,984 from the previous year.
The oldest person in Japan is Fuyo Kishimoto, a 114-year-old woman from Kyoto, born on 20 December 1911. The oldest man is Hikaru Kato from Kumamoto, aged 112, born on 2 May 1914.
Per 100,000 people, Japan has an average of 87.51 centenarians. Shimane Prefecture has the highest ratio at 186.65 per 100,000 population, holding first place for 14 consecutive years, followed by Kochi with 169.52 and Tottori with 152.48. Saitama has the lowest ratio at 51.27, followed by Aichi at 57.79 and Osaka at 60.06.
Data indicates that Japan had only 153 centenarians in 1963, rising to over 1,000 in 1981, more than 10,000 in 1998, and surpassing 50,000 in 2012. By 2022, the number exceeded 90,000, reflecting Japan’s full transition into a super-aged society.
For this fiscal year, there are 54,294 people who have reached or are expected to reach 100 years of age, including those living abroad and foreign nationals with permanent residence in Japan. The government will present congratulatory certificates and silver cups to centenarians through local authorities.
The average life expectancy in Japan for 2025 is projected at 87.33 years for women and 81.35 years for men. The Ministry stated that advances in medical care and increased health awareness are key factors contributing to the continuous rise in the elderly population.
. . . . . .Kyodo/JIJI PRESS/Yomiuri Shimbun