More than 100k people in Japan are now aged 100 or older

Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kurumi Mori , Tokyo correspondent and Issey Izumi Getty Images When records began in 1963 there were only 153 centenarians in Japan - now there are 107,677 The number of people aged 100 or more in Japan has exceeded 100,000 for the first time, according to the health ministry.

Figures show Japan is now home to 107,677 centenarians, the highest number in the world, of whom 88% are women. The oldest woman is Kishimoto Fuyo, a 114-year-old from Kyoto City and the oldest man is Kato Hikaru, a 112-year-old from Kumamoto.

Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said he was "delighted that so many people are living long, healthy and active lives", citing progress in medicine and technology.

But Kenichiro also warned of the challenge the country faces in maintaining a sustainable social security system.