Japan, known for its healthy aging population, has reached a new record – with more than 95,000 residents older than 100.
This beautiful country has the highest number of centenarians by capita of any country with 90 percent of them being women, according to government data released on September 17.
These figures underscore Japan’s deepening demographic crisis, as its population continues to age and shrink.
As of September 1, the country had 95,119 centenarians, an increase of 2,980 from the previous year. Of these, 83,958 were women, while 11,161 were men, the health ministry reported.
Separately, on September 15, additional data revealed that Japan’s over-65 population had also reached a record 36.25 million, accounting for 29.3 percent of the country’s total population.
With the highest proportion of centenarians among 200 countries and regions with populations over 100,000, Japan tops the global list, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
Currently, Japan is home to the world’s oldest living person, Tomiko Itooka, who was born on May 23, 1908, and is now 116 years old, as confirmed by the US-based Gerontology Research Group.
The previous record-holder, María Branyas Morera, passed away in Spain in August at the age of 117.
Ms. Itooka resides in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo prefecture, where she is known for expressing gratitude to the staff and reminiscing about her hometown, the ministry said.
Japan’s oldest man, Kiyotaka Mizuno, aged 110, lives with his family in Iwata, Shizuoka prefecture. Despite his longevity, Mr. Mizuno told local media that he has “no idea at all” about the secret to his long life.
He maintains a routine of waking up at 6.30am and enjoys three meals a day without being picky about food. His favorite pastime is listening to live sports, including sumo wrestling, the ministry added.
As Japan’s elderly population continues to expand, the country is grappling with rising medical and welfare costs, all while its shrinking workforce struggles to support these growing expenses. Japan’s total population now stands at 124 million, having declined by 595,000 in the previous year.
Efforts by the government to slow both population decline and the rapid ageing trend have shown limited success, prompting gradual changes such as extending the retirement age. By fiscal 2025, the retirement age will be set at 65 for all employers.
