Japan has 100,000 centenarians

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 17, 2026

Japan’s centenarian population exceeded 100,000 for the first time in 2026, reaching 107,677 individuals, with women comprising about 88 percent of this group. This milestone highlights advances in healthcare but also raises concerns about the strain on social security and economic stability amid Japan’s shrinking and rapidly ageing population.

Japan’s centenarian population has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, according to the latest figures released by the country’s health and welfare ministry. The number of people aged 100 or older reached 107,677 in 2026, an increase of nearly 8,000 from the previous year. This marks a continued upward trend in longevity, with the centenarian population growing every year since official tracking began in 1963, when there were only 153 documented individuals aged 100 or over.

Women make up the vast majority of centenarians, accounting for approximately 88 percent of the total. Among them are Fuyo Kishimoto from Kyoto, recognized as Japan’s oldest woman at 114 years, and Hikaru Kato from Kumamoto, the oldest man at 112 years old. These milestones were highlighted during the annual Respect the Aged Day on September 15, when centenarians receive letters from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and commemorative silver sake cups.

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno expressed satisfaction with the increasing number of individuals living long and active lives, attributing this to advances in medical technology as well as healthy lifestyles and diets. However, he also warned that the demographic shift could place considerable strain on Japan’s social security system if measures are not taken to ensure sustainability.

Japan’s population trend presents a paradox: even as life expectancy remains among the highest in the world—averaging 84 years in 2024 according to the World Bank—the overall population continues to shrink. The country’s fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.14 children per woman in 2025, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. Census data from 2020 showed Japan’s total population at approximately 126 million, with nearly 30 percent aged 65 or older. Projections indicate the population may decline to around 87 million by 2070, with the elderly population rising to nearly 40 percent, reflecting a rapidly ageing society.

Experts emphasize that while the growth in centenarians is a sign of progress in healthcare and quality of life, it also highlights the challenges Japan faces in managing its demographic decline and maintaining economic and social stability amid a shrinking and ageing population. The rising number of centenarians underscores the country’s unique demographic dynamics and the need for policies that address both longevity and population sustainability.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.