Daniel Wolfram
Most of the centenarians in Japan are women.
Japan has set a new record as its count of citizens living past a century topped six figures for the first time.
The country’s health ministry reported that 107,677 centenarians currently reside in the nation, with women accounting for 88% of the group.
According to the BBC, Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said he was “delighted that so many people are living long, healthy and active lives”, pointing to breakthroughs in healthcare.
Experts credit this longevity to healthy routines. Diets rich in fish, rice, and vegetables keep saturated fats low, while simple habits like walking, cycling, and stretching stay part of daily life.
No more young people
Despite the milestone, Ueno warned that maintaining a stable society with these centenarian numbers will cause severe challenges.
Japan is facing a shortage of young people. Last year, the total fertility rate dropped to a record low of 1.14, far below the 2.1 average needed to replace the population.
Data from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research estimates the population will fall to 87 million by 2070, down 30% from its 2008 peak of 128 million.
Seniors aged 65 and older make up roughly 30% of the public today. By 2070, that figure is projected to reach nearly 40%.
A ‘quiet emergency’
Japanese authorities have called the shift in population an “existential crisis”, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi describing the decline as a “quiet emergency”.
Government cash incentives have done little to change course. Researchers cite high child-rearing costs, falling marriage rates, and expanding career roles for women as major factors.
More immigration into Japan is also not an option at the moment. Foreign residents make up just 3% of the population, and public pushback against accepting more newcomers remains high.
