Japan hits 107,677 centenarians as Australia faces aging challenge
Japan's longevity comes from diet, community, and urban design that lets people age at home.
Japan's health ministry reported 107,677 centenarians this year, marking the 56th year of consecutive increase. About 88 per cent are women.
UNSW professor Henry Brodaty says Japan's longevity comes from lifestyle choices. People eat more fish and fewer processed foods.
They have less isolation and drink less heavily. Japan does have higher stress and suicide rates: 16 per 100,000 versus Australia's 12.
Blood pressure is also higher. Urban design is key in Japan.
Housing, transport, and services let older people age at home rather than in care facilities. RMIT researcher Marco Amati calls this the 'Holy Grail' of aging.
People remain in familiar surroundings surrounded by community.
- 107,677 people aged 100 or older
- Japan's centenarians
- 56th year in a row
- Consecutive increase
- 88 per cent are women
- Gender breakdown
Why it mattersAustralia's growing older population will put pressure on the budget and workforce. Japan shows that lifestyle and community design drive healthy aging.
AustraliaAustralia's median age will reach 45 by 2066. Learning from Japan's food culture, social connection, and urban planning could ease the cost and strain of caring for a rapidly aging population.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 d ago
