Record Number of Centenarians in Japan as Elderly Population Surges

The number of people aged 80 and over in Japan has surpassed 10% of the country's population for the first time, according to government data. Additionally, those aged 65 and older make up 29.1% of the total population, the highest proportion worldwide. Women account for 56.6% of Japan's elderly population, reflecting their longer life expectancy. The number of elderly people in the workforce has risen for the 19th consecutive year, reaching a record high of 9.12 million. Japan's government faces challenges in addressing the needs of the growing elderly population while preventing the declining population from negatively impacting the economy.