Tokyo: For the first time, the number of Japanese people aged 100 and above has surpassed 100,000. The number of centenarians in Japan reached an all-time high, with nearly 88 percent of them being women.

According to Thai News Agency, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that as of September 15, there were 107,677 centenarians in the country. This milestone marks the 56th consecutive year of increase since 1971 and shows a rise of 7,914 from the previous year. Notably, approximately 88 percent of these centenarians are women.

In 1963, Japan was home to only 153 centenarians. The number exceeded 10,000 in 1998 and surpassed 50,000 in 2012. Shimane Prefecture has consistently held the highest proportion of centenarians per 100,000 inhabitants for 14 years.

The oldest person in Japan is a 114-year-old woman named Fuyo Kishimoto, residing in Kyoto. Born on December 20, 1911, she reportedly maintains a normal lifestyle, capable of eating and moving independently while in bed. The oldest man, Hikaru Kato, is 112 years old and lives in Kumamoto Prefecture. Born on May 2, 1914, he remains independent and self-reliant, regularly exercising in his room.