More than 100,000 people in Japan are now 100 years of age or older

The number of people aged 100 or more in Japan has exceeded 100,000 for the first time, according to the health ministry. Current figures show that Japan is now home to 107,677 centenarians, the highest number in the world, with 88% being women. The oldest woman is Kishimoto Fuyo, a 114-year-old from Kyoto City, and the oldest man is Kato Hikaru, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto.

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno expressed his delight at the longevity of the population, stating that many people are living long, healthy, and active lives. He attributed this trend to advancements in medicine and technology. However, he also warned of the challenges that Japan faces in maintaining a sustainable social security system.

Experts attribute the long lives of the Japanese to several factors:

• A healthy diet, primarily consisting of fish, vegetables, and rice.
• An active lifestyle, with older individuals regularly walking, using public transport, cycling, and stretching.

Japan has been experiencing an aging population for years. Notably, sales of adult nappies have surpassed those for babies for over a decade. The total fertility rate in Japan dropped to a record low of 1.14 last year, indicating that for a population to replace itself, each woman needs to give birth to an average of 2.1 children.