Japan has over 800,000 people aged 100 and older

The number of people aged 100 and older in Japan has exceeded 80,000 for the first time, Japanese media reported on Tuesday.

The number of centenarians increased 9,176 from last year to 80,450 since Tuesday, with women occupying 88.2 per cent of total.” Kyodo news agency, citing data released by the Ministry of Health.

The Shimane Prefecture in western Japan has the highest number of centenarians for 100,000 residents -- 127.60 for the eighth consecutive year, followed by Kochi and Tottor with 119.77 and 109.89, respectively, the agency reported.

Japan's average life expectancy was 87.45 for women and 81.41 for men in 2019, both high records, according to Health Ministry data published in July of this year.” she said.

Kane Tanaka, 117-year-old from Fukuoka, southwest Japan, is the oldest Japanese woman. The Guinness World Records recognised him as the oldest living person in the world, the report said.

The survey began in 1963, and the number of centenarians has increased over the past 50 years.