The number of people living to 100 or older in Japan has surpassed 100,000. This new record indicates a continued increase in global lifespans.
Japan's high life expectancy is attributed to several factors: low obesity rates, healthy eating habits, widespread medical check-ups, and accessible healthcare. These contribute to fewer deaths from heart disease and cancer.
Kenichiro Ueno, Japan's Health Minister, expressed pleasure at the news, stating at a press conference, “I am very happy that so many people have been able to stay active for so long.”
Epidemiologist Jay Olshansky from the University of Illinois Chicago notes that Japan is a logical place for this milestone to occur. He anticipates other countries will reach similar numbers as large generations age and medical science advances.
“Most people at older ages now are living on manufactured time—time that was created for us by our physicians and by the public health community,” Olshansky explains.
However, this demographic shift presents challenges. Japan also faces one of the world's lowest birth rates. Combined with declining fertility and a shrinking workforce, this puts a strain on public resources and complicates care for the elderly. Olshansky also points out that extended life can be precarious without good health.
The oldest known person in Japan is Fuyo Kumamato, aged 114. Globally, the oldest person is Ethel Caterham of the UK, aged 117. Researchers are actively studying supercentenarians (those over 110) to understand how to promote healthier aging.
“What’s really critical about this is quality of life,” Olshansky adds. “Just living longer should not be the primary goal of medicine and public health anymore. It should be health extension or health span.”
