More than 100,000 people in Japan are now 100 years of age or older
Japan has surpassed 100,000 residents aged 100 or older for the first time on record, according to government data released in September 2026. This population milestone highlights the rapidly aging demographic structure within the Asian country, which holds the world's second oldest population. Female residents account for nearly 88 percent of this nationwide total. The surging count of centenarians brings increased attention to rising welfare and public spending costs associated with a growing elderly demographic.
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- ✓ More than 100,000 people in Japan are now 100 years of age or older.
- ✓ The number of Japanese residents aged 100 or older has reached 107,677.
- ✓ Women account for nearly 88 percent of the nationwide centenarian total.
- ✓ Japan's centenarian ranks have reached 100,000 as welfare costs rise.
What changed
Government figures published in September 2026 officially confirmed that the national centenarian count surpassed the 100,000 threshold for the first time.
Live updates
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Japan Centenarian Population Tops 100,000 For First Time
Japan has surpassed 100,000 residents aged 100 or older for the first time on record, according to government data released in September 2026. This population milestone highlights the rapidly aging demographic structure within the Asian country, which holds the world's second oldest population. Female residents account for nearly 88 percent of this nationwide total. The surging count of centenarians brings increased attention to rising welfare and public spending costs associated with a growing elderly demographic.
Why it matters
Japan faces an intense demographic shift characterized by a shrinking workforce and a rising median age. The milestone places fresh fiscal pressure on government systems as welfare and support costs climb to sustain older citizens. The country continues to monitor its aging population metrics closely.
What is confirmed
- More than 100,000 people in Japan are now 100 years of age or older.
- The number of Japanese residents aged 100 or older has reached 107,677.
- Women account for nearly 88 percent of the nationwide centenarian total.
- Japan's centenarian ranks have reached 100,000 as welfare costs rise.
What to watch next
- Further updates on fiscal welfare reforms from the Japanese government to manage rising senior care costs.
- Additional demographic breakdowns detailing regional distributions of centenarians across the country.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (15)
- BBC — More than 100,000 people in Japan are now 100 years of age or older
- CNN — For the first time, Japan has more than 100,000 centenarians
- Bloomberg.com — Japan’s Centenarian Ranks Reach 100,000 as Welfare Costs Rise
- The Japan Times — Number of centenarians in Japan top 100,000 for first time
- Japan Wire by Kyodo News — Kyodo News Digest: Sept. 15, 2026
- VnExpress International — Centenarians top 100,000 in Asian country with world's second oldest population
- Yahoo — The land of the living (long)
- nhk.or.jp — Number of centenarians in Japan hits record high | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
- Morning Brew — Japan has a problematic age gap
- NBC News — Japan now has more than 100,000 people who are 100 or older
- www.scientificamerican.com — Japan just hit a new longevity milestone
- www.yahoo.com — More than 100,000 people in Japan are now over 100
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