Number of Centenarians in Japan Exceeds 100,000 for the First Time

Japan's Ministry of Health announced that the number of people aged 100 and above in the country has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677. Approximately 88 percent of these centenarians are women, with 114-year-old Fuyo Kishimoto from Kyoto being the oldest living woman in the country. Health Minister Kenichiro Uno attributed this longevity to advancements in medical technology and healthcare, alongside expert observations on Japan's low-fat diet and active lifestyle. When counting began in 1963, Japan recorded only 153 centenarians compared to today's unprecedented figure. However, the demographic shift presents a major crisis as the fertility rate dropped to a new low of 1.14 last year, and citizens aged 65 and over now represent nearly 30 percent of the total population. By 2070, Japan's population is projected to decline to 87 million, straining the sustainability of its social security system.