Japan’s Centenarians Nearly 100,000

Japan’s population of centenarians has reached a new milestone, with 99,763 people aged 100 or older as of September 1, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This marks the 55th consecutive year the figure has hit a record high, reflecting the country’s remarkable longevity.

The number of centenarians increased by 4,644 from last year, with women making up the vast majority at 87,784, or about 88 percent. When Japan began tracking the data in 1963, there were just 153 centenarians nationwide. The figure surpassed 1,000 in 1981, reached 10,000 in 1998, 50,000 in 2012, and 90,000 in 2022. Now, Japan is on the verge of crossing the symbolic 100,000 mark.

As of September, Japan recorded 80.58 centenarians per 100,000 people. Shimane Prefecture led the country with 168.69 centenarians per 100,000 residents, ranking highest for the 13th straight year. Kochi and Tottori also showed high ratios at 157.16 and 144.63 respectively. On the other hand, Saitama had the lowest rate at 48.50, followed by Aichi (53.00) and Osaka (55.44).

Japan’s oldest living person is Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old woman in Nara Prefecture. The oldest man is Kiyotaka Mizuno, aged 111, from Shizuoka Prefecture. Notably, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Reona Esaki also joined the centenarian ranks this year, celebrating his 100th birthday in March.

During fiscal 2025, around 52,310 people are expected to turn 100. As part of a long-standing tradition, the government honours new centenarians with congratulatory letters and commemorative silver cups, highlighting the nation’s cultural respect for longevity.

Japan’s ageing society continues to be a defining feature, presenting both a point of pride and a challenge for the future.

Key Takeaways:

Japan has 99,763 centenarians, a record high for 55 years in a row.

Women make up nearly 88% of the total, with Shimane leading longevity rankings.

The oldest Japanese are Shigeko Kagawa (114) and Kiyotaka Mizuno (111).

Adapted From:

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20250912-280456/