World
Japan hits a new record: More than 100,000 people are 100 or older
For the first time ever, the number of centenarians in Japan has passed the 100,000 mark.
An elderly person sitting in a park in Japan.
By John Doe
Reporting from Japan 
Sept. 17, 2026, 6:54 a.m. - an hour ago
There is big news coming out of Japan today. For the first time in history, there are more than 100,000 people living in the country who are 100 years old or older.
These people are known as centenarians. That is just a fancy word for someone who has lived for at least 100 years.
Japan has been keeping track of this for a long time. They started counting in 1963. Back then, there were only 153 people who were 100 or older. The numbers have been going up every year since then.
Experts say this is happening because of a few things. People in Japan generally have a healthy diet and good healthcare.
Most of the people in this group are women. They make up the vast majority of those who have reached the 100-year milestone.
Japan has one of the oldest populations in the entire world. This new record shows just how much things have changed over the last few decades.
Source: AP News
3
Like
0
Comments
2
Disike
Discussion