Japan approaches the milestone of 100,000 citizens reaching the century mark.
Japan Continues to Lead in Longevity with Record Number of Centenarians
Japan, renowned for its longevity, has once again made headlines as the country recorded a significant increase in its population of centenarians. As of September 1, 2025, there were 99,763 centenarians in Japan, marking a 55th consecutive annual rise in this age group.
The latest data reveals that the prefecture with the highest ratio of centenarians per 100,000 people is Shimane, with an impressive figure of 168.7. This is followed by Kagoshima (136.5), Kōchi (157.2), and Tottori (144.6). On the other hand, Tokyo has the lowest ratio at 57.5, while Chiba, Aichi, Osaka, Saitama, and Nagano have ratios of 57.3, 53.0, 55.4, 48.5, and 133.9, respectively.
Interestingly, Western Japan tends to have higher ratios of centenarians than the east of the country. This trend is reflected in the fact that the oldest man in Japan, Mizuno Kiyotaka, aged 111, resides in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture, while the oldest woman, Kagawa Shigeko, aged 114, lives in Yamatokōriyama, Nara Prefecture, both located in Western Japan.
Japan's longevity is particularly pronounced among women, who account for 88.0% of centenarians. Notable additions to this club include Nobel laureate Esaki Reona, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973 and recently joined the centenarian ranks.
The increase in Japan's centenarian population is a testament to the country's commitment to healthcare and wellbeing. The number of centenarians in Japan increased by 4,644 from the previous year, a significant growth that underscores the nation's success in promoting longevity.
As Japan continues to lead the world in longevity, the focus now shifts to understanding the factors contributing to this remarkable achievement and how they can be replicated in other countries. The insights gained from Japan's success story could pave the way for a global shift towards longer, healthier lives.
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