Japan's centurion population reaches 40,000

The number of Japanese living beyond 100 has doubled in the past six years to exceed 40,000 this year, a record, with women dominating the centenarian population.

The Health and Welfare Ministry said today Japan will have 40,399 people aged 100 years or older this month, surpassing the previous record of 36,276 last year. More than 86% of them were women.