The number of centenarians in Japan have surpassed 40 000 people, according to the Ministry of Health of the country.
There are now 40 399 Japanese people aged 100 or older, which is 4 000 more compared to 2008, and 87% of them are women.
The oldest Japanese citizen is a 114 year-old woman who lives on Okinawa Island, where strangely the number of centenarians have doubled compared to anywhere else in the world. The oldest man in the country is 112 years-old and lives in Kyoto. He spends his time reading the newspaper for stimulation.
A healthy diet, consisting mainly of vegetables, and a mild climate are among the secrets of longevity of Japanese people.