In Japan, nearly 100 thousand centenarians: secrets of longevity and doubts.

The Japanese government reported that as of September, there are 99,763 people in the country aged over 100, of which 88% are women. This is reported by BBC citing data from the Japanese Ministry of Health, as stated by 'Glavkom'.

Longevity Statistics

According to inkorr.com: As of today, Japan has 87,784 women and 11,979 men who have reached the age of 100. The oldest person is considered to be 114-year-old Shigeko Kagawa, who lives in the suburbs of Nara. The oldest man is 111-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno from the city of Iwata, located on the coast.

Celebration of the Elderly Day

The Ministry of Health published this data ahead of the Elderly Day, celebrated in Japan on September 15. On this day, new centenarians receive congratulatory letters and silver cups from the Prime Minister. This year, 52,310 people will be congratulated.

Reasons for Longevity

Japan is distinguished by the longest life expectancy in the world and is known for its numerous centenarians. However, in the 1960s, the country had the lowest percentage of people over 100 among all G7 countries.

According to BBC, the long life expectancy of the Japanese can be explained by low rates of mortality from heart diseases and certain forms of cancer, including breast and prostate cancer. Also, the Japanese diet is low in red meat but rich in fish and vegetables, which reduces the risk of obesity. Elderly Japanese often lead an active lifestyle, walking more and using public transport, which also contributes to their good health.

Doubts About the Data

However, some researchers express doubts about the accuracy of this data. They believe that the statistics may be inflated due to unreliable public records and the lack of birth certificates. In 2010, an audit of family registries in Japan revealed errors in the counts, and there are suspicions that some families may have concealed the deaths of their elderly relatives to continue receiving their pensions.

Let us remind you that at the age of 102, a Japanese man conquered Mount Fuji – the highest point of the country at 3,776 m and became a world record holder as the oldest person to climb this peak.

This high longevity rate in Japan indicates an impressive quality of life. Proper nutrition and an active lifestyle play a significant role in maintaining health. However, questions about the accuracy of the statistics raise concerns, and possible deficiencies in registration may affect the true picture of longevity.