More than 100k people in Japan are now aged 100 or older

Japan now has over 107,000 centenarians—the highest number in the world—with 88% being women, marking the first time the country has exceeded 100,000 people aged 100 or older. Experts attribute Japan's exceptional longevity to factors including a healthy diet rich in fish and vegetables, active lifestyles, and advances in medicine and technology. However, the aging population presents challenges for Japan's social security system, particularly as the country's fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 1.14, threatening long-term sustainability.