Japan’s population of people aged 100 and above has crossed the 100,000 mark for the first time, reaching a record 107,677 as of September 1.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number rose by 7,914 from the previous year, marking the 56th consecutive year of growth. Japan has also become the first country to record more than 100,000 centenarians.
Women make up the vast majority of Japan’s centenarian population, with 94,298 women compared with 13,379 men aged 100 or older.
The milestone comes as Japan continues to grapple with a major demographic challenge, with people living longer while birth rates remain low. The growing elderly population is placing increasing pressure on public resources and the country’s ability to provide care for older citizens.
For comparison, the US Census Bureau estimated around 101,000 centenarians in the United States in 2024. However, that figure is a projection and is not directly comparable with Japan’s 2026 count.
