Japan has just crossed a symbolic threshold in September: 100,000 centenarians. According to public data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the country counted exactly 99,763 people aged 100 or more, an increase of 4,644 compared to the previous year. This marks the 55th consecutive year of growth and confirms Japan’s place as the world leader in longevity.
- Japan reached the historic milestone of 100,000 centenarians in 2025, a world record illustrating 55 straight years of increase.
- Longevity remains overwhelmingly female: 88% of centenarians are women, with a life expectancy of 87.1 years compared to 81.1 for men.
- The oldest is Shigeko Kagawa, 114, a former doctor, while Kiyotaka Mizuno, 111, is the oldest man.
- Since 1963, Japan has gone from 153 to 100,000 centenarians, driven by medicine, diet, and respect for the elderly.
- But this success comes with a major demographic challenge: a record population decline of 900,000 in 2024, rising social costs, and widespread elderly loneliness.
Longevity in Japan: A female majority
Among registered centenarians, 88% are women — 87,784 compared to 11,979 men. This trend is not new: Japanese women have held global life expectancy records for decades, reaching 87.13 years in 2024, compared with 81.09 years for men.
The country’s oldest resident is Shigeko Kagawa, aged 114, from Nara Prefecture (near Kyoto). A former obstetrician-gynecologist and general practitioner, she continued working even after 80. “Walking a lot during house calls helped me develop strong legs, which are the source of my vitality today,” she explained in a statement shared by the ministry. Still in good health, she spends her days between TV, newspapers, and calligraphy. Among men, the oldest is Kiyotaka Mizuno, 111, living in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture.
At the regional level, Shimane Prefecture in western Japan has, for the 13th consecutive year, the highest density of centenarians, with 168.69 per 100,000 inhabitants.
A spectacular evolution since 1963
The first official centenarian count in 1963 recorded only 153 people. The milestone of 1,000 centenarians was reached in 1981, then 10,000 in 1998. In just sixty years, Japan has multiplied its number of centenarians more than 650 times.
This progression reflects medical advances, hygiene improvements, a balanced traditional diet, and a culture that values physical activity and respect for elders.
Longevity in Japan: A source of pride, but a demographic warning
While this record is hailed as a sign of national vitality, it also highlights the enormous challenges facing Japan. The country is experiencing rapid aging amid a significant population decline. In 2024, the archipelago recorded a historic drop of more than 900,000 people, the result of persistently low birth rates.
This situation is creating a growing imbalance: a larger elderly population, sharply rising healthcare and social costs, and a shrinking workforce. Outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba even described it as a “silent emergency,” promising measures to support families, such as free childcare services and more flexible work arrangements. But so far, these policies have failed to reverse the trend.
A model of longevity watched worldwide
Japan’s longevity, often attributed to lifestyle, diet, and healthcare, fascinates as much as it puzzles. Other industrialized nations, also facing aging populations, are closely watching how Tokyo seeks to adapt its social model.
Caught between international admiration for this exceptional vitality and internal anxiety about the future, Japan now faces a decisive stage: reconciling the pride of hosting 100,000 centenarians with the need to rethink its social, demographic, and economic balance. Just as crucial is addressing the devastating loneliness of its citizens, with thousands dying alone each year. Living long, yes — but not fading away into the silence and indifference of others.
Published by the Editorial Staff on