Record High of 84,000 Japanese Women Reach Century Mark Amidst Shrinking Population

Japan has reached a new milestone in its demographic shift, with the number of people aged 100 or older surpassing 95,000, according to government data released Tuesday. The record high of 95,119 centenarians includes 83,958 women and 11,161 men, highlighting the country’s aging population. This trend is part of a broader demographic crisis, as Japan’s population continues to shrink while the elderly population grows.

On September 1, data revealed that the number of individuals aged 65 and older has also reached a record high of 36.25 million, representing 29.3% of Japan’s total population. This places Japan at the top of global rankings for the oldest age demographic in countries with populations over 100,000.

Japan is home to the world’s oldest living person, Tomiko Itooka, who is 116 years old and resides in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. The previous record-holder, Maria Branyas Morera, passed away last month in Spain at the age of 117.

The country faces significant challenges due to its aging population, including increased medical and welfare costs and a shrinking workforce. Japan’s overall population stands at 124 million, having declined by 595,000 in recent years. Efforts to address these issues include gradually raising the retirement age to 65 starting in fiscal 2025.