Number of Centenarians in Japan Exceeds 100,000 for First Time... Oldest is 114

The population of centenarians in Japan has surpassed 100,000 for the first time on record, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on the 15th.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of people aged 100 or older nationwide stood at 107,677 as of the 1st, an increase of 7,914 from the previous year.

This marks the 56th consecutive year of increase, pushing the figure above 100,000 for the first time.

The number has grown rapidly from 153 in 1963, when the tally first began, and 310 in 1970 when the upward trend started.

Among those aged 100 or older, women accounted for 87.6% at 94,298.

A total of 54,294 people turned 100 this year.

The number of centenarians per 100,000 people was 87.51.

Among regional prefectures, Shimane Prefecture had the highest proportion of centenarians at 186.65 per 100,000 people, followed by Kochi Prefecture (169.52) and Tottori Prefecture (152.48).

The oldest person in the entire population was 114-year-old Fuyo Kishimoto, a woman living in Kyoto.

Kyodo News reported that Kishimoto is living peacefully in a special nursing home and is fond of sweets, even enjoying bread porridge with added sweetness.

Kishimoto lost her husband in her 30s and subsequently raised her children while working at a civil engineering construction site.

She continued working at construction sites until the age of 80 and also volunteered to cook meals at a childcare facility.

She has two daughters, including her eldest daughter who is approaching 100 at age 94, along with 6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

Ahead of Respect for the Aged Day on the 21st, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Kenichi Ueno said, "I am glad that thanks to advances in medical technology, many people are living long, healthy, and active lives. As aging is set to progress further, making the social security system sustainable is of utmost importance."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.