Japan's Centenarian Population Surpasses 100,000 for First Time
3 sources across 2 countries · Indonesia · United States
Who reported this
- Tempo English
- The Jakarta Post
- CNN
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
Political lean describes where an outlet sits within the politics of its own country. It is never a position on a single global scale.
Political lean is comparable inside one country and not across them, which is why the bar groups by country first. Publicly funded broadcasters are not marked as state-linked.
The owner of each outlet is listed as a matter of record, not as a judgement about the outlet.
Every outlet covering this story shares the same political lean; read with that in mind.
Japan's population of people aged 100 and older has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 as of September 1, 2026. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, this figure represents the 56th consecutive year of growth for the age group, increasing by 7,914 from the previous year. Women make up the vast majority of this population, accounting for approximately 88 percent of the total.
Japan is recognized as one of the world's longest living countries. Scientists attribute this longevity to an advanced healthcare system and wholesome diets. Some residents also embrace the philosophy of ikigai, which encourages bringing value and joy to life. Currently, the country's oldest residents include Fuyo Kishimoto, a 114 year old woman from Kyoto, and Hikaru Kato, a 112 year old man from Kumamoto.
Despite these milestones, the aging population coincides with a broader demographic crisis. Japan's total population of about 123 million continues to fall as birth rates hit record lows. This trend is creating significant pressure on the world's fourth largest economy by shrinking the workforce, increasing the costs of elderly care, and ballooning social security expenses.
Outlets with a center left lean framed the event with a mix of positive and negative perspectives. Some emphasized the personal achievement of longevity and the health of the elderly, while others focused on the systemic economic threats posed by a shrinking tax base and labor shortages.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- Outlets with this lean balanced the celebration of increased longevity with warnings about the economic strain of a shrinking workforce and declining birth rates.
Sources
93% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.