Japan’s population of people aged 100 or older just crossed the 99,000 mark, a figure that would have seemed like science fiction just a few decades ago. As of September 1, 2025, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare tallied 99,763 centenarians, an increase of 4,644 from the year before. This milestone comes as the nation marks its 55th straight year of breaking its own record for longevity, with women comprising the overwhelming majority—88 percent, or 87,784 individuals—compared to 11,979 men.
At the top of this remarkable group sits 114-year-old Shigeko Kagawa, a retired obstetrician and gynecologist from Nara Prefecture who didn’t hang up her stethoscope until age 86. Kagawa made headlines in 2021 by carrying the Olympic torch at 109, a testament to the vitality that defines so many in her cohort. The oldest man, 111-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno, rounds out a picture of endurance that the rest of the world can only envy.
What fuels this extraordinary lifespan? Officials point to a combination of disciplined eating habits and an unyielding commitment to staying in motion, even as the years pile on. Japan’s rates of heart disease and cancers like breast and prostate remain among the lowest globally, thanks in large part to meals built around fish, vegetables, and soy, while steering clear of excessive red meat and salt.
This isn’t some fad diet but a cultural norm passed down through generations, one that prioritizes balance over indulgence. Take the Okinawan approach, for instance, where residents—famous for producing more centenarians per capita than anywhere else—follow “hara hachi bu,” the practice of stopping at 80 percent full to avoid overeating. Sweet potatoes, seaweed, and tofu form the backbone of their plates, delivering antioxidants and fiber that keep bodies resilient. As one expert on Blue Zones, the regions renowned for exceptional longevity, notes, this simple restraint “allows the body to focus on repair rather than digestion.”
Movement weaves seamlessly into daily life, too. Elders in Japan rarely sit idle; they walk to markets, climb stairs on public transit, and join in Radio Taiso, the nationwide morning calisthenics routine that’s aired since 1928. This three-minute broadcast draws millions, including those well into their hundreds, fostering a rhythm of activity that wards off frailty.
A Japanese proverb captures it plainly: “Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years.” It’s a far cry from sedentary routines elsewhere, where convenience often trumps effort. These habits build not just physical strength but a quiet resilience, the kind that turns routine chores into lifelines.
Beyond the plate and the pavement lies something deeper: a sense of purpose that anchors the spirit. In Okinawa, this manifests as “ikigai,” the personal reason for waking up each day—be it tending a garden, crafting, or sharing stories with neighbors.
One 100-year-old from the island put it this way: “The secret to a long life is not to worry. And to keep your heart young—don’t let it grow old. Open your heart to people with a nice smile on your face.”
Her words echo a broader truth among Japan’s elders: longevity thrives on connection and calm, not isolation or stress.
Another centenarian, reflecting on her routine, shared, “My secret to a long life is always saying to myself, ‘slow down’, and ‘relax’. You live much longer if you’re not in a hurry.”
These aren’t platitudes but lived wisdom, drawn from decades of choosing peace over panic. Community plays a key role here, too, through “moai”—lifelong support circles where friends pool resources and encouragement, buffering life’s blows.
Japan’s government has tracked centenarians since 1963, when the count stood at a mere 153. That number has exploded six hundredfold, mirroring advances in healthcare and a society that reveres its seniors. Yet this silver lining casts a shadow: the same year that brought this record also saw births plummet to 687,689—the lowest since records began—while deaths hit 1.6 million, shrinking the overall population to 120 million. Tokyo’s response includes incentives like free childcare and four-day workweeks for young couples, aimed at easing the path to family life. It’s a pragmatic push to sustain the traditions that have sustained so many for so long.
In a world racing toward burnout, Japan’s centenarians offer a roadmap back to basics: eat wisely, move often, cherish your why, and lean on your people. Their numbers aren’t just statistics—they’re proof that deliberate living pays dividends measured in decades.
