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.
