Japan's Centenarian Population Exceeds 100,000 for the First Time

Japan's population of individuals aged 100 or older has exceeded 100,000 for the first time, according to government data. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare confirmed 100,176 centenarians as of this month, a substantial increase from 92,139 just last year.

This demographic shift highlights Japan's severe and ongoing population crisis. Women account for 88.5% of the centenarian cohort, totalling 88,140 individuals. The oldest Japanese woman, Fusa Tatsumi, is 116 years old, while the oldest man, Gisaburo Sonobe, is 111.

The nation's birth rate has reached record lows, exacerbating the decline in the working-age population. In 2022, Japan recorded 799,728 births, the lowest figure since national statistics began, marking the first time the number fell below 800,000. Conversely, deaths totalled 1.58 million, resulting in a net population decrease of over 782,000 people. This demographic trajectory presents profound implications for Japan's social security systems, labour market, and economic growth.