Japan Nearing a Population of 100,000 Centenarians
Japan's Centenarian Population Continues to Grow
Japan, renowned for its longevity, has once again recorded a significant increase in the number of centenarians, as reported in the fifty-fifth annual rise. As of September 1, 2025, there were 99,763 centenarians in the country, an increase of 4,644 from the previous year.
The distribution of centenarians across Japan varies geographically. Western Japan tends to have higher ratios compared to the east, with figures particularly low in the Kanto region. Conversely, prefectures such as Nagano, Kōchi, Tottori, and Kagawa have higher ratios of centenarians per 100,000 people. Nagano, for instance, boasts a ratio of 133.9, while Kōchi has a remarkable 157.2.
Shimane Prefecture currently holds the title of the prefecture with the highest ratio of centenarians per 100,000 inhabitants in Japan, although the current governor remains unnamed in the provided search results. The prefecture's ratio stands at 168.7, a testament to its exceptional longevity.
Gender also plays a role in Japan's centenarian population. Women account for 88.0% of centenarians, with Kagawa Shigeko, aged 114, being the oldest woman living in Yamatokōriyama, Nara Prefecture. Mizuno Kiyotaka, aged 111, is Japan's oldest man, residing in Iwata, Shizuoka Prefecture.
The rise in Japan's centenarian population is a significant milestone, with the number surpassing 1,000 in 1981 and 10,000 in 1998. Notable figures such as Esaki Reona, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1973, have also joined the centenarian club.
Osaka, Tokyo, and Chiba prefectures have ratios of 55.4, 57.5, and 57.3 centenarians per 100,000 people, respectively. Tokyo prefecture, despite being the capital, has the lowest ratio.
The growth in Japan's centenarian population is a fascinating study in demographics and public health. The factors contributing to this trend continue to be researched, with the hope of understanding and replicating the factors that contribute to such longevity.
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