In a first, Japan records more than 100,000 people aged 100 or older

Centenarian Population in Japan: Women account for nearly 88 per cent of Japan's centenarians, with 94,298 aged 100 or older, compared with 13,379 men, according to the latest data by Japan's health ministry

Women account for nearly 88 per cent of Japan's centenarians, with 94,298 aged 100 or older, compared with 13,379 men, according to the latest data by Japan's health ministry

Japan has crossed a major longevity milestone, with the number of people aged 100 or older rising above 100,000 for the first time.

The country had 107,677 centenarians as of September 1, according to data released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The figure increased by 7,914 from the previous year and has risen for 56 consecutive years.

Women make up the vast majority of Japan’s centenarian population. There were 94,298 women aged 100 or older, accounting for 87.6 per cent of the total, while the number of men stood at 13,379.

Who are Japan’s oldest people?

Japan’s oldest woman is Fuyo Kishimoto, 114, who lives in Kyoto. The country’s oldest man is Hikaru Kato, aged 112, from Kumamoto.

The number of centenarians has increased sharply since the government began keeping these records in 1963. At that time, Japan had only 153 people aged 100 or older. The number crossed 1,000 in 1981, and then 10,000 in 1998. By 2012, Japan had more than 50,000 centenarians.