The number of people in Japan aged 100 or older has risen to a record high of nearly 100,000, according to the government. This marks the 55th consecutive year of increases, with the total reaching 99,763 this September, predominantly women (88%).
Japan, known for its incredibly long life expectancy, is recognized internationally for consistently having the world's oldest recorded individuals. Despite skepticism from some studies regarding global centenarian statistics, Japan stands out as one of the fastest aging societies featuring a notably low birth rate.
The oldest person in Japan is Shigeko Kagawa, 114, from Nara, while the oldest man is Kiyotaka Mizuno at age 111 from Iwata. Health Minister Takamaro Fukoka recognized the contributions of the centenarians on the eve of Elderly Day, celebrated on September 15.
With a history of lower rates of heart disease and cancer, thanks to healthier eating patterns that favor fish and vegetables and public health efforts encouraging reduced salt intake, Japan continues to promote active lifestyles through group exercises like Radio Taiso. This combination of dietary habits and community engagement contributes significantly to the nation's longevity statistics, which reflect a cultural shift since the 1960s when there were only 153 centenarians in the country.
Despite the fascinating rise in centenarian numbers, some recorded figures have been questioned due to data accuracy issues and public record reliability. A notable investigation in 2010 revealed many individuals listed as centenarians were actually not alive, highlighting the complexities of demographic tracking in the country.
Japan, known for its incredibly long life expectancy, is recognized internationally for consistently having the world's oldest recorded individuals. Despite skepticism from some studies regarding global centenarian statistics, Japan stands out as one of the fastest aging societies featuring a notably low birth rate.
The oldest person in Japan is Shigeko Kagawa, 114, from Nara, while the oldest man is Kiyotaka Mizuno at age 111 from Iwata. Health Minister Takamaro Fukoka recognized the contributions of the centenarians on the eve of Elderly Day, celebrated on September 15.
With a history of lower rates of heart disease and cancer, thanks to healthier eating patterns that favor fish and vegetables and public health efforts encouraging reduced salt intake, Japan continues to promote active lifestyles through group exercises like Radio Taiso. This combination of dietary habits and community engagement contributes significantly to the nation's longevity statistics, which reflect a cultural shift since the 1960s when there were only 153 centenarians in the country.
Despite the fascinating rise in centenarian numbers, some recorded figures have been questioned due to data accuracy issues and public record reliability. A notable investigation in 2010 revealed many individuals listed as centenarians were actually not alive, highlighting the complexities of demographic tracking in the country.
