Japan Centenarians Reach Record High of Nearly 100,000

Japan’s population of centenarians has reached a record high, with nearly 100,000 people aged 100 or older, according to the Health Ministry’s latest data released on Friday.

Key Statistics

Shigeko Kagawa, aged 114, resides in the Nara region near Kyoto and continues to lead an active life. She served as an obstetrician-gynecologist and general doctor well into her 80s.

Kagawa attributes her longevity to her physically active lifestyle: “Walking extensively during house calls built strong legs, which are the source of my current vitality,” she told the Health Ministry.

She still enjoys good eyesight and spends her days watching television, reading newspapers, and practising calligraphy.

Meanwhile, the world’s oldest person is British national Ethel Caterham, who turned 116 in August, having inherited the title after the passing of Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas.

The rise in centenarians highlights Japan’s demographic crisis, as its population both ages and shrinks, putting pressure on medical and welfare systems. A smaller workforce struggles to support soaring care costs for the elderly.

• In 2024, the population of Japanese nationals fell by more than 900,000, a record decline.
• Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the situation as a “quiet emergency”, pledging family-friendly measures, including more flexible working hours and free day care, to counter the decline.

Despite government initiatives, meaningful progress in reversing the ageing population trend remains elusive, raising ongoing concerns for Japan’s economy and social systems.