Japan's Centenarians Reach Record High of 95,000

Japan has set a record with over 95,000 centenarians, of which nearly 90 percent are women, highlighting the ongoing demographic crisis as the population ages and shrinks. As of September 1, 2023, there are 95,119 people aged 100 or older, marking an increase of 2,980 from the previous year. The number of individuals aged over 65 has also reached a record high of 36.25 million, constituting 29.3 percent of Japan's total population. Japan is home to the world's oldest living person, Tomiko Itooka, who is 116 years old. This demographic shift raises concerns about soaring medical and welfare costs, exacerbated by a declining labor force. The overall population of Japan is currently 124 million, having decreased by 595,000 in the past year.