Living longer than ever: Japan's centenarians set a new record

Kokichi Akuzawa, 102 (right) is recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest male to climb Mount Fuji. With him are his daughter Yukiko (centre) and her husband Yuji. Photo: AP

The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has hit a record high of nearly 100,000, with almost 90% of them women, ministry data showed.

The figures underscore the demographic crisis gripping the world's fourth-biggest economy as its population ages and shrinks.