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Japan's Centenarians Defy Aging with Lifelong Passion and Purpose
3 Nov
Summary
- Japan has nearly 100,000 centenarians, the most in the world
- Centenarians find purpose in their work, never thinking of stopping
- Work is not just a part of life, but the reason for living in Japan
As of November 2025, Japan remains the country with the highest number of centenarians in the world, with nearly 100,000 people over the age of 100. The key to their remarkable longevity is not found in any miracle drug or anti-aging fad, but rather in the way they approach life and work.
For these Japanese centenarians, work is not just a part of their lives, but the very reason they wake up each morning. Seiichi Ishii, now 103 years old, still runs the bicycle repair shop he fell in love with as a 12-year-old, finding joy and purpose in his work. Fuku Amakawa, 102, continues to manage the restaurant she opened with her late husband six decades ago, while 101-year-old farmer Masafumi Matsuo tends to his crops, finding fulfillment in the land.
The concept of "ikigai," a Japanese term meaning "a reason to live," is not just a slogan for these centenarians, but a way of life. They have embraced their work, their passions, and their connections to their communities, refusing to see aging as a reason to slow down or retire. Instead, they have found that staying engaged, active, and purposeful is the key to longevity.
As the rest of the world grapples with the challenges of aging, Japan's centenarians offer a powerful lesson: that true fulfillment comes not from escape, but from embracing the present and finding meaning in the everyday.
