According to a recent Associated Press syndicated NBC News article, Japan’s centenarian population has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677, with nearly 88% being women, which were released to mark Respect the Aged Day.
Japan’s Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno reportedly told reporters that progress in medical technology, healthy lifestyle and diet as contributing factors. “I’m very pleased that many people are living a long, healthy and active lives.”
Minister Ueno reportedly emphasized the need for a sustainable social security system due to an aging population. The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research survey reportedly revealed over 20% of single men and women aged 18-34 have no plans to marry, with nearly half seeing no benefit in it.
According to AP News, “Ueno acknowledged that the reasons for marriage reluctance among young people include the high costs of raising and educating children and the mental and physical burden on working parents. He said the government would continue addressing their concerns and attempt to turn around problems related to Japan’s aging population and dwindling births.”
The AP news highlights that Japan’s population is expected to decline to 87 million by 2070, with nearly 40% of the population aged 65 or older. This decline is attributed to a record low total fertility rate of 1.14 in 2025.
Referring to the source from the Health and Welfare Ministry, AP News reports that Japan had 153 centenarians when the centenarian surveys commenced in 1963. This number surpassed 1,000 in 1981 and exceeded 10,000 in 1998.