Japan units new data for centenarians — and this is how they reside to 100

Japan’s centenarian inhabitants has reached a file excessive because the nation continues to keep up the world’s longest life expectancy – a milestone officers credit score to wholesome existence and fewer deadly illnesses.

The East Asian nation, for the fifty fifth yr in a row, has set a brand new file as its inhabitants of residents aged 100 or older soared to a staggering 99,763 — up 4,644 from the earlier yr, in keeping with the federal government’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the BBC reported. 

Women make up a hanging 87,784 of the entire – or 88% – in contrast with 11,979 males. 

The nation’s oldest dwelling particular person is Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old retired doctor from Nara Prefecture, who ran her household’s clinic as an obstetrician and gynecologist till retiring at 86.

Kagawa – an emblem of Japan’s distinctive lifespan – achieved a exceptional feat in 2021 when she grew to become one of many oldest torchbearers in Olympic historical past at age 109 throughout the Tokyo Games. 

The oldest man is 111-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno, stated officers, who launched the unprecedented figures forward of Monday’s Elderly Day celebration in Japan. 

Japan’s lengthy life streak is fueled by low charges of coronary heart illness and most cancers – particularly breast and prostate – attributable to diets heavy in fish and greens and restricted purple meat and salt, the outlet reported. 

Experts additionally attribute the jaw-dropping longevity to elders staying energetic nicely into outdated age – strolling, taking public transit, train, and Radio Taiso, a three-minute exercise broadcast on tv each day. 

The authorities started monitoring individuals aged 100 or older in 1963, when there have been simply 153 centenarians. 

But whereas some Japanese residents reside longer, the nation recorded almost 1 million extra deaths than births in 2024 – its steepest single-year inhabitants decline since authorities surveys started almost six many years in the past. 

The inhabitants – which peaked at round 126.6 million in 2009 – has been declining steadily ever since, in keeping with knowledge revealed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications final month. 

Last yr, Japan set two data – a historic low in births and a file excessive in deaths. 

Just 687,689 births had been recorded in 2024, the bottom because the authorities first began conserving monitor in 1968. On the opposite finish, a whopping 1.6 million individuals died, bringing the entire inhabitants to 120 million, in keeping with the information.

The ever-growing natality disaster pushed the Japanese authorities to advertise family-oriented insurance policies, together with free childcare, expanded entry to healthcare and shorter work weeks to partially assist release time for procreation.