Japan has reached a historic demographic milestone, with the number of people aged 100 and older surpassing 100,000 for the first time. According to Japan's health ministry, there were 107,677 centenarians as of September 1, 2026, marking the 56th consecutive year of record growth in this age group. Women account for the vast majority of centenarians, representing nearly 90% of the total.
The milestone reflects Japan's reputation as one of the world's longest-living nations, supported by advances in healthcare and longer life expectancy. At the same time, it highlights the country's rapidly aging population, which continues to grow even as birth rates decline and the overall population shrinks.
While the growing number of centenarians is a testament to longevity and healthy aging, it also underscores broader demographic challenges, including labour shortages, rising social care costs, and increased pressure on public systems. As countries around the world grapple with aging populations, Japan's experience offers valuable insights into both the opportunities and challenges of longer lives.
Explore the full story and what this milestone means for the future of aging and longevity.
