More than 100,000 people in Japan are now aged 100 or older, the highest number in the world, according to the country's health ministry. As of the latest count, there are 107,677 centenarians, with 88% being women. The oldest woman is Kishimoto Fuyo, a 114-year-old from Kyoto City, while the oldest man is Kato Hikaru, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto. This number has been steadily increasing since 1963, when the first official register of centenarians was created, starting with only 153 individuals. The count reached 1,000 in 1981 and 10,000 by 1998, showing a continuous rise in the number of people living to 100 years or more. Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno expressed happiness over the growing number of people living long, healthy, and active lives, attributing this trend to advances in medicine and technology. However, he also warned of the challenges this presents for maintaining a sustainable social security system. Experts suggest that Japanese longevity is partly due to a healthy diet and active lifestyle, which includes a diet rich in fish, vegetables, and rice, with less saturated fat than in many Western diets. Older Japanese individuals are also more likely to walk, use public transport, cycle, and perform regular stretching exercises. Japan is facing a rapidly aging population, with around 30% of its residents currently aged 65 or older. This proportion is expected to rise to nearly 40% by 2070. At the same time, Japan's total population is projected to decline to 87 million by 2070, a 30% drop from its peak of 128 million in 2008. This decline has been observed in all 47 prefectures except two in 2025, with the rate of decline accelerating each year. Japan's total fertility rate has dropped to a record low of 1.14 in recent years, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain population stability. Government efforts to encourage childbirth, such as subsidies and programs, have not been effective. Factors contributing to the low birth rate include lower marriage rates, more women in the workforce, and the high cost of raising children. Although immigration has increased slightly in recent years, foreigners still make up only about 3% of the population, and there is growing resistance to accepting more immigrants. The government has described the demographic changes as an "existential crisis," with Prime Minister Sanae Takichi referring to it as a "quiet emergency." The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has requested a budget of 33,700 billion yen (188 billion euros) for pensions and the health system in 2027, nearly a quarter of the total budget for social protection. Meanwhile, studies have raised concerns about the accuracy of the centenarian numbers, citing data errors, unreliable public records, and missing birth certificates. A government audit in 2010 found over 230,000 people listed as 100 or older who were unaccounted for, with some having died decades earlier. This miscounting was attributed to inconsistent record-keeping and suspicions that some families may have concealed the deaths of elderly relatives to claim pensions. The government released the centenarian figures ahead of Japan's annual "Respect for the Aged" public holiday, during which the government honors those turning 100 with a personal letter and a traditional cup of sake.