Japan has once again broken its own record for the number of people aged 100 and above, reaching an unprecedented 99,763 centenarians as of September 2025.
The announcement, made by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, comes ahead of Japan’s annual Elderly Day on September 15 – a national holiday that honors senior citizens. This marks the 55th consecutive year of growth in the country’s centenarian population, with women making up a striking 88% of the total.
This year, 52,310 individuals will receive a congratulatory letter and silver cup from the prime minister in recognition of their milestone.
Among Japan’s oldest citizens are 114-year-old Shigeko Kagawa from Nara Prefecture and 111-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno from Shizuoka. Kagawa, who remained active as a physician well into her 80s, attributes her vitality to walking extensively during house calls and maintaining a disciplined lifestyle.
Japan’s remarkable longevity is often credited to its low rates of obesity, heart disease, and cancer – particularly breast and prostate cancer. A diet rich in fish, vegetables, and low in red meat has played a significant role, alongside successful public health campaigns that reduced salt consumption nationwide.
Physical activity also contributes to the country’s aging well. Radio Taiso, a three-minute group exercise broadcast daily since 1928, remains a staple in community parks and senior centers, promoting both health and social cohesion.
Despite the celebratory tone, Japan’s aging population presents serious challenges. The country faces a shrinking labor force and rising healthcare costs, prompting Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to label the situation a “quiet emergency”.
Efforts to reverse the trend – such as flexible work policies and free childcare – have yet to yield significant results.
Questions have also been raised about the accuracy of centenarian data. A 2010 government audit revealed over 230,000 individuals listed as aged 100 or older were unaccounted for, some having died decades earlier. The discrepancies were linked to outdated records and, in some cases, pension fraud.
Still, Japan remains a global symbol of longevity, with its centenarian count far surpassing other G7 nations. From just 153 centenarians in 1963 to nearly 100,000 today, the country’s demographic transformation is both a marvel and a warning.