Japan hits new record as centenarians share longevity secrets

Japan has reached a remarkable new milestone in healthy aging: almost 100,000 people in the country are now centenarians, aged 100 or older, according to ARA City Radio.

According to Japan’s health ministry, as of this September there were 99,763 centenarians recorded -- the highest number ever, and an increase of 4,644 from the previous year. This marks the 55th consecutive year that Japan’s centenarian population has risen to a new record high.

For context, when the government began tracking longevity in 1963, there were only 153 people over 100 nationwide. By 1981 the figure had reached 1,000, and by 1998 it hit 10,000, climbing steadily ever since. Japan’s longevity boom is a stunning testament to the possibilities of a long life well-lived.

One striking aspect of this trend is that the vast majority of Japan’s centenarians are women. About 88% of those nearly 100,000 centenarians are female, reflecting a global pattern in which women tend to outlive men. Japan’s oldest living person is a woman -- 114-year-old Shigeko Kagawa -- while the oldest man, Kiyotaka Mizuno, is 111.

These super-seniors have lived through more than a century of history, and their continued vitality is truly inspirational. It’s truly incredible to think that just a few decades ago, reaching the age of 100 was a rare feat, yet now tens of thousands in Japan are achieving -- and celebrating -- this milestone each year.

Health experts say Japan’s exceptional longevity is no coincidence -- it’s the result of healthy habits and a supportive culture built over generations. A few key factors often cited include:

Active daily routine: A culture of staying active well into later life keeps Japanese elders physically fit. Many practice daily gentle exercise, including Radio Taiso -- a popular 10-minute morning calisthenics routine broadcast on radio and television since the 1920s. This group exercise, often done in parks or workplaces, involves stretching and light aerobics that people of all ages (children to 100+ year-olds) can do together. By embracing lifelong movement, seniors keep their joints flexible, muscles strong, and spirits high.

Nutritious traditional diet: The Japanese diet is rich in fish, vegetables, tofu, rice, and tea, with relatively little red meat or sugary desserts. This balanced diet provides ample nutrients and omega-3s while keeping unhealthy fats and excess calories low.

Healthy body weight: Japan has one of the lowest obesity rates in the world. Eating habits and portion sizes tend to be moderate, and walking or biking is a routine part of daily life for many. Maintaining a healthy weight greatly reduces age-related health issues like heart disease and diabetes.

Preventive health and moderation: Public health campaigns in Japan have long encouraged sensible habits -- for example, cutting down on salt to combat high blood pressure. Regular medical check-ups and a culture of moderation in alcohol and smoking have also helped improve overall health outcomes.

It’s no wonder that Japan boasts one of the highest life expectancies on the planet, at about 84.5 years on average. All these lifestyle factors create a recipe for not just longevity but healthy longevity. The result is a generation of elders who often remain independent and active well past their 90th birthdays.

However, there's another key element to consider: Rather than viewing old age as a time of decline, Japanese society emphasizes healthy aging, with seniors continuing to contribute to family and community -- just imagine all those pearls of wisdom being passed down!

This holistic approach -- caring for body, mind, and social well-being -- has clearly paid off in helping so many people reach the century mark in good shape.

Importantly, another beautiful aspect of Japan’s longevity phenomenon is how the country honors its elders. Every year in September, Japan celebrates Respect for the Aged Day (a national holiday also known as “Keirō no Hi”). On this day, new centenarians -- those turning 100 that year -- receive a special celebration.

The Prime Minister presents each of them with a commemorative silver cup and a personal congratulatory letter to mark their 100th birthday. It’s a heartfelt gesture that recognizes the wisdom and contributions of those who have reached a century of life. (This year, over 52,000 Japanese men and women will receive that honor -- a number so large that the government had to scale down the size of the silver cups in recent years!)

In a society that treasures its seniors, reaching 100 is not just a personal achievement -- it’s a community celebration. Instead of being sidelined, they are celebrated, respected, and loved. Their lives are seen as a blessing — a living link to history, family, and wisdom.

For those of us reflecting on this impressive milestone, it’s an invitation to think about how we live our own lives. Am I cultivating habits that will keep me healthy in body and spirit? Do I honor the elders in my family and community as treasures rather than burdens?

In Scripture we are reminded: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by a life that is just” (Proverbs 16:31). Japan’s centenarians give us a living image of this truth. Their long lives are a testament not only to healthy practices, but to the deeper grace of a society that values life at every stage.

Perhaps the secret to a joyful old age is not simply in what we eat or how we move, but in how we love: with gratitude, with community, and with reverence for the gift of each day.