Japan’s Centenarian Population Reaches Record High

The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has exceeded 107,000 this year, setting a new national record.

The milestone puts a spotlight on those who have reached or passed their 100th birthday, an age often regarded as a distant prospect.

The total counts people already living beyond a century as well as those reaching that landmark age. It does not mean that 107,000 people turned 100 this year.

While the record highlights longevity in Japan, the figure alone does not explain what is driving the increase or reveal the health and living conditions of its oldest residents.