For the first time, the number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has crossed the 100,000 mark. Japan’s Ministry of Health has revealed that there are as many as 107,677 such people in the country. Japan stands as the country with the highest number of centenarians in the world. Notably, 88 percent of them are women. Kyoto resident Fuyo Kishimoto is currently the oldest woman in Japan, at 114 years old. Meanwhile, Kumamoto resident Hikaru Kato is the oldest man, at 112 years old.
Japan’s Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said he was happy that so many people are living long, healthy, and active lives. He noted that advances in medicine and technology are also among the reasons people are living longer. At the same time, however, he warned that the growing number of elderly people is becoming a major challenge for sustaining the country’s social security system in the long run. Experts say that the eating habits and active lifestyles of Japanese people are also among the reasons for their longevity. The Japanese diet mainly consists of fish, vegetables, and rice. Compared to Western countries, their diet is also lower in saturated fats. Elderly people also prioritize staying active in their daily lives. Many of them walk, use public transport, cycle, and do stretching exercises.
Experts say these habits help them stay healthy and active for longer. However, as the number of elderly people in Japan rises, another problem is also becoming serious. With the growing elderly population, companies that specifically manufacture products for older people have also increased. For example, companies are making devices such as powered exoskeletons that help move various parts of the body. Glasses that automatically adjust their focus depending on need have also been developed. Along with an aging population, Japan’s declining birth rate is also a cause for concern. For a country’s population to remain stable, an average of 2.1 children need to be born per woman. But last year, Japan’s total fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.14.
Estimates suggest that Japan’s population could also decline sharply in the coming years. According to data from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, Japan’s population is projected to fall to 87 million by 2070. The country’s population peaked at 128 million in 2008. Compared to that, the population is expected to shrink by nearly 30 percent by 2070. Currently, about 30 percent of Japan’s population is aged 65 or older. By 2070, this age group is expected to make up nearly 40 percent of the population. The Japanese government is taking this situation seriously. Officials have already described the declining population and rising number of elderly people as an “existential crisis.” Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also referred to the population decline as a “silent emergency.” In 2025, the population declined in all 47 prefectures of Japan, with only two regions being an exception. Data shows that the pace of population decline is also gradually increasing.
The Japanese government is implementing several programs and subsidies to encourage young people to have more children. Even so, the birth rate is not rising. Experts say this is due to several reasons, including a decline in the number of marriages, more women entering the workforce, and rising costs of raising children. Immigration into Japan has also increased in recent years. Even so, foreigners make up only about 3 percent of the country’s total population. There are also reports of growing opposition to allowing more foreigners into the country. The official survey to count the number of people over 100 years old in Japan began in 1963. At that time, there were only 153 people in the country aged 100 or older. By 1981, that number had reached 1,000. It crossed 10,000 in 1998. It is notable that the number has now reached 107,677.