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Japan centenarian population growth

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-15 11:16 UTC → 2026-09-15 23:34 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Japan is experiencing a significant demographic trend toward increased longevity. On a national level, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that the total number of people aged 100 and older has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching a record 107,677 as of September 2026. This marks the 56th consecutive year of growth for this demographic since records began in 1963, when the population numbered only 153 people. Women constitute approximately 88% of the national centenarian population, totaling 94,298 individuals, while men account for 13,379. As of the latest data, the oldest resident in the country is 114-year-old Fuyo Kishimoto from Kyoto, and the oldest man is 112-year-old Hikaru Kato from Kumamoto. Life expectancy stands at approximately 87.3 years for women and 81.3 years for men, attributed to advanced medical technology, healthy diets, and active lifestyles. This demographic shift occurs alongside record-low birth rates, highlighting an ongoing aging crisis. The growing elderly population presents significant fiscal and economic challenges, including a shrinking workforce and rising costs for social security, healthcare, and public pensions. Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno noted that while increased longevity is a positive sign of medical progress, “ensuring the sustainability of social welfare systems remains a critical challenge.” The government ~~is currently managing~~ continues to manage the strain of supporting a population where roughly one in three residents receives a public pension.

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