On September 14, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Japan released the latest data revealing that the total population of people aged 65 and above in Japan is 36.19 million. This is a decrease of about 50,000 compared to the previous year, but the proportion of elderly individuals in the total population has risen to 29.4%, reaching a new historical high.
At the same time, the number of elderly individuals employed in Japan continues to set new records. In 2024, the number of employed individuals aged 65 and above reached 9.3 million, marking the 21st consecutive year of increase. The proportion of elderly workers among all employees reached 13.7%, indicating that about one out of every seven workers is elderly.
In the older age group, the proportion of the population aged 75 and above has risen to 17.2%, also reaching a new high. According to a report from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of centenarians in Japan has increased to 99,763 people, marking the 55th consecutive year of record-breaking. Approximately 88% of them are women, totaling 87,784 individuals.
As the employment of elderly individuals expands, Japan is simultaneously strengthening workplace safety measures. In May of this year, the Japanese government announced amendments to the Labor Standards Act and the Industrial Safety and Health Act, listing the “prevention of work accidents for elderly workers” as an obligation for employers. The relevant provisions will be implemented in stages starting from 2026. Additionally, since June, the revised Regulations on Labor Safety and Health have officially enhanced the obligation to protect workers from heatstroke.
According to the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS), it is predicted that as the post-World War II baby boom generation (born between 1971 and 1974) fully enters old age, the elderly population in Japan will peak at around 39.53 million by 2043, accounting for approximately 35.8% of the total population. The pressure of aging continues to rise.
Every year, the third Monday of September in Japan is designated as “Respect for the Aged Day,” aiming to honor and promote longevity culture. This year, Respect for the Aged Day falls on September 15, and the above statistics were released just before the holiday, highlighting the societal attention towards the issue of aging.