Japan's centenarian count tops 100,000 for first time

Japan's Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry announced Tuesday that 107,677 people aged 100 or older were recorded in September, surpassing 100,000 for the first time.

• Japan's ministry reported 107,677 centenarians in September, up 7,914 from a year earlier — the 56th consecutive annual increase.
• Women account for 94,298 of the centenarians, roughly 88 percent, against 13,379 men.
• Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said the rising number of people living longer while remaining active reflects advances in medical technology.
• Japan, which began tabulating centenarians in 1963, passed 1,000 in 1981, 10,000 in 1998, and 50,000 in 2012.