Japan is facing a rapidly aging population, with nearly 100,000 citizens aged 100 or older, according to recent government data. The majority of these centenarians are women, and the number continues to rise to record levels. This trend highlights the demographic challenges facing Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, especially as its overall population declines. On September 1st, Japan recorded 99,763 centenarians—4,644 more than the previous year—with women accounting for 88% of the group. As Japan’s aging population continues to grow, so do healthcare and social welfare costs, while the working-age population shrinks.