Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Japan's 107,677 Centenarians Highlight Adaptable Lessons for Indian Healthy Ageing
Japan has more than 107,000 people who are at least 100 years old.
People are interested in whether Japanese food helps them live longer.
Food may matter, but long life also depends on exercise, sleep, healthcare, relationships and mental wellbeing.
Japanese meals often include vegetables, fish, soy, rice and fermented foods in moderate portions.
Indians do not need to copy Japanese meals exactly.
Indian foods such as dal, beans, vegetables, fruits, millets, curd, nuts and seeds can provide similar benefits.
People should try to eat more whole foods and enough protein.
They should also eat less sugary, salty, fried and packaged food.
Staying active and maintaining muscle can help older people remain independent.
Japan has 107,677 people aged 100 or older, nearly 8,000 more than the previous year.
Longevity reflects multiple factors, including diet, genetics, exercise, healthcare, sleep, mental wellbeing and social relationships.
Traditional Japanese eating emphasizes vegetables, fish, soy foods, rice, fermented foods and modest portions.
Indian diets already include longevity-supporting foods such as pulses, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, millets, nuts, curd and fermented foods.
Experts recommend prioritizing minimally processed foods, adequate protein, fibre, physical activity and muscle strength while limiting excess salt, sugar and ultra-processed foods.
- Who
- Japan's population of people aged 100 or older, along with Indians seeking healthier ageing habits.
- What
- Japan recorded 107,677 centenarians, prompting guidance on adapting healthy Japanese dietary principles to Indian food.
- When
- The figure was released recently by Japan's health ministry and increased from the previous year.
- Where
- Japan, with dietary lessons discussed for India and traditional examples drawn from Okinawa.
- Why
- The discussion examines how diet and broader lifestyle habits may support healthy ageing and longevity.
- Centenarians in Japan
- 107,677 people aged 100 or older
- Annual increase
- Nearly 8,000 more centenarians than the previous year
- Japanese dietary pattern
- Vegetables, fish, soy-based foods, rice, fermented foods and modest portions
- Indian food examples
- Dal, rajma, chana, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, millets, nuts, seeds and curd
- Protein options
- Pulses, soy, eggs, fish, poultry, curd and paneer
- Foods to limit
- Sugary beverages, packaged snacks, deep-fried foods and highly processed meals
- Other healthy-ageing habits
- Physical activity, strength-building, adequate sleep, stress management, avoiding tobacco and preventive health checks