Japan has set a new milestone in longevity, with the number of citizens aged 100 or older reaching 99,763, according to the latest data from the country’s Ministry of Health.
This marks the 55th consecutive year Japan has broken its own record for centenarians. Women continue to make up the overwhelming majority—about 88%—of those aged 100 and above.
Japan, renowned for having the highest life expectancy in the world, is also home to some of the oldest living individuals on record. The country’s oldest resident is 114-year-old Shigeko Kagawa, while the oldest man is 111-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno.
Health officials attribute the country’s remarkable longevity to a combination of factors, including a balanced diet, active lifestyle, and low obesity rates. Public health initiatives, such as campaigns to reduce salt intake and promote daily physical activity—including the long-standing group exercise routine known as Radio Taiso—have played a significant role in keeping the population healthier for longer.
