Japan records more than 100,000 people aged 100+ for first time

Japan's population aged over 100 has climbed past 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 as of September, according to government figures released for Respect for the Aged Day, a national observance held annually on Sept. 15. Data from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed that the number of people who have lived beyond a century has now risen for 56 consecutive years. Compared with last year, the centenarian population increased by 7,914 people. Women continued to make up the overwhelming majority, with 94,298 women aged over 100 compared with 13,379 men.