Japan's Centenarian Population Tops 107,677, a Record for the 56th Straight Year

According to Japan's health ministry, the nation is home to 107,677 individuals aged 100 and above, the highest number of centenarians globally. This figure marks an increase of 7,914 from 2025, achieving a record for the 56th consecutive year since 1971. The growth trend has been significant, with only 153 centenarians recorded in 1963, around 10,000 in 1998, and 50,000 in 2012. Women represent 88% of this demographic. The oldest woman is 114-year-old Kishimoto Fuyo from Kyoto City, while the oldest man is 112-year-old Kato Hikaru from Kumamoto. Factors contributing to longevity include a nutritious diet rich in fish, vegetables, and rice, along with regular physical activities and strong community connections. Japan's population aged 65 and older comprises nearly 30%, projected to approach 40% by 2070, prompting authorities to label this demographic shift as an "existential crisis." Prime Minister Sanae Takichi referred to the declining birth rate as a "quiet emergency."