Japan has long been known for its ageing population and high life expectancy, but a new milestone highlights just how long many of its residents are living.
Image used for illustrative purposes/By: Anadolu/Getty Images
For the first time, the number of people aged 100 and older in Japan has surpassed 100,000, with the country recording 107,677 centenarians this year, according to CNN.
The figure, released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, represents the 56th consecutive year that the number of centenarians has increased. It is also almost 8,000 higher than the previous year.
Women make up the vast majority of the group, accounting for 94,298 people, or about 88% of all centenarians.
Japan’s longevity record
Japan has consistently ranked among the countries with the world’s highest life expectancies, with a combination of improved healthcare, nutrition and living conditions contributing to its longevity.
The Japanese government has previously pointed to improvements in living environments, diet and nutrition, as well as advances in medical technology, as factors behind the country’s ageing population.
The country is also known for the concept of ikigai, loosely translated as a reason for being or something that gives life purpose. The idea has attracted international interest as people look at possible links between lifestyle, wellbeing and longevity.
Japan is now home to some of the world’s oldest residents, although the identities and ages of the country’s oldest people can change as new records are confirmed.
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A growing challenge for Japan
While having more people living to 100 is a sign of improved longevity, it also reflects a wider demographic challenge.
Japan’s population is ageing while its birth rate remains low, leaving the country with a shrinking working-age population and increasing pressure on healthcare, pensions and elderly care.
The government has introduced measures aimed at keeping older people in the workforce for longer, while also relying increasingly on foreign workers to help address labour shortages.
The milestone therefore presents a complicated picture for Japan: more people are living to remarkable ages, but the country must also find ways to support its rapidly ageing population.
For travellers, Japan’s longevity story offers another perspective on a country often celebrated for its food, culture, traditional lifestyles and approach to wellbeing.
Source: CNN
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