The Ministry of Health revealed Japanese The number of centenarians in Japan has reached a new record, with 95,119 people over the age of 100, for the 54th consecutive year.
The figure represents an increase of 2,980 people from the previous year, reflecting a continued upward trend in the number of elderly people in Japan, according to a report by The Japan Times. The data was obtained from the country's basic resident registry.
Women in the lead
Women make up the largest proportion of these centenarians, with 83,958, or about 88% of the total, while men only account for 11,161. This large gender disparity is attributed to several health and cultural factors, including good health care and the balanced diet for which Japan is famous.
Japan's oldest woman is Tomiko Itaoka, 116, of Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, while Kiyotaka Mizuno, 110, of Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, is the country's oldest man.
Interestingly, Japan began recording the number of centenarians in 1963, when the number did not exceed 153 people. But over the years, these numbers have increased significantly, with the number of centenarians exceeding 1,000 in 1981, then 10,000 in 1998, and reaching more than 90,000 in 2022.
These figures reflect the great development in the health sector and living conditions in Japan, which contribute to increasing life expectancy.
Among Japan's 47 prefectures, Shimane Prefecture topped the list of areas with the largest number of centenarians, with 15,954 centenarians per 100,000 people, the 12th consecutive time the prefecture has held this position.
Kochi Prefecture came next with 15,420, then Kagoshima with 13,073. In contrast, the lowest centenarian rates were in Saitama, Aichi and Chiba Prefectures.
Future and Challenges
Reports indicate that about 47,888 people in Japan will celebrate their 100th birthday during the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2025, and will be honored with a congratulatory speech and a silver cup, a tradition that reflects Japan's appreciation for the elderly.
But on the other hand, despite celebrating the number of centenarians, Japan faces major demographic challenges. The continuous increase in the number of elderly people is accompanied by a decrease in the number of working people. According to reports for 2023, Japan's population decreased by 595,000 people, compared to the previous year, to reach a total of 124 million people.
This population decline is having a negative impact on the Japanese economy, as pressures on the health system and social care costs increase amid a shrinking workforce.
Japan, which has long been known as one of the world’s longest-lived countries, is also facing the challenge of an aging population. While the increase in the number of centenarians is a significant health achievement, the economic and social burdens that come with it pose significant challenges for the country. Japan will certainly need innovative solutions to address these demographic changes, especially as the workforce shrinks and the health care needs of the elderly increase.
Global aging and health care challenges
In 1965, age 65 was set in the United States as the age of eligibility for Medicare insurance, and this age has become the common age for effective retirement in most economically advanced societies.
Japan's challenge is not unique. A UN report in October 2022 showed that the pace of ageing is accelerating worldwide. In 2020, the number of people aged 60 and over exceeded the number of children under 5 for the first time in history.
The report indicated that people around the world are living longer, with most people able to expect to live into their sixties and beyond, and that all countries in the world are witnessing growth in the size and proportion of elderly people in the population.
This profound shift reflects broad demographic changes that require fundamental adjustments in health and social policies.