While Japan is known as one of the countries with the highest life expectancy in the world, a 2022 survey by the Japan Hospice Palliative Care Foundation reveals that only 22% of Japanese citizens wish to live to 100. Driven by fears of being a burden and declining physical health, this sentiment contrasts sharply with the nation’s rising centenarian population, which reached 90,526 in September 2022, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The Growing Disconnect Between Longevity and Desire
Japan’s demographic trajectory is often viewed through the lens of medical success, but the internal perspective of its citizens tells a different story. Despite the government reporting an increase of approximately 4,000 centenarians between 2021 and 2022, the Japan Hospice Palliative Care Foundation found that 70% to 80% of surveyed adults do not aspire to reach the century mark.
The sentiment is particularly pronounced among women. The survey, which polled about 1,000 adults aged 20 to 70-plus, found that 83.5% of female respondents did not want to live to 100, compared to 72.4% of men. Foundation representatives noted that as reaching 100 becomes a statistical reality rather than a rarity, citizens are increasingly questioning the quality of life associated with such extreme longevity.
Did you know?
The desire to live to 100 is significantly lower than the actual number of people reaching that age. While the government confirms over 90,000 centenarians, only about one in five Japanese citizens expresses a desire to join their ranks.
Primary Barriers: Burden, Health, and Finance
Why do most Japanese citizens reject the prospect of a century of life? The data points to three clear concerns:
- Social Burden: 59% of respondents cited a desire not to be a burden on their families or others.
- Health Decline: 48.2% expressed anxiety over physical deterioration and the resulting loss of quality of life.
- Economic Stability: 36.7% reported concerns regarding their financial ability to sustain themselves at an advanced age.
Conversely, those who do wish to reach 100—just 22% of the sample—primarily cite a desire to enjoy life for as long as possible (68.2%) or a wish to watch their children and grandchildren grow (38.6%).
The Gender Divide in End-of-Life Preferences
The survey highlighted a distinct difference in how men and women view the end of their lives in relation to their spouses. More than 60% of men across all age groups expressed a desire to pass away before their partners. This preference intensifies with age, reaching around 80% among men over 50. The primary driver here is emotional; 58.6% of these respondents stated they could not cope with the grief of losing a spouse.
Women, however, are more likely to want to survive their husbands. Those who prefer to outlive their partners often cite a sense of responsibility, with 53.6% worrying about how their spouse would manage alone, and 48.1% wanting to provide care until the very end.
National Demographic Challenges
These individual concerns exist against a backdrop of a national crisis. The Japanese government, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, has identified the combination of a shrinking birth rate and an aging population as an existential threat. In 2025, births in Japan fell to 671,236—the tenth consecutive year of record lows.
With the total fertility rate hitting a record low of 1.14, the government is under mounting pressure to prioritize child-rearing policies. Prime Minister Kishida has publicly stated that the nation is at a point where it must decide if it can continue to function as a society, emphasizing that support for children and families can no longer be delayed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do most Japanese citizens not want to live to 100?
The primary reason cited in the Japan Hospice Palliative Care Foundation survey is the fear of becoming a burden to others (59%), followed by concerns over declining health and financial instability.
What is the current trend in Japanese birth rates?
Births in Japan have seen a consistent decline, falling to 671,236 in 2025. This marks the tenth consecutive year of record lows, with the total fertility rate dropping to 1.14.
How do men and women differ in their end-of-life preferences?
Men are more likely to want to die before their spouses to avoid the pain of loss, while women are more likely to want to outlive their husbands to ensure their partners are cared for.
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