TOKYO — The average life expectancy of Japanese women and men increased in 2025 as deaths from some forms of cancer and heart disease declined, with Japanese women remaining the world’s longest-living for the 41st consecutive year, according to government data released Friday.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said the average life expectancy for women rose by 0.20 year to 87.33 years, while that of men increased by 0.25 year to 81.35 years.
Despite the increase, Japanese men slipped to seventh in the global rankings from sixth the previous year.
South Korea ranked second for women with an average life expectancy of 86.60 years, followed by Spain at 86.53 years. Among men, Sweden ranked first at 82.52 years, followed by Switzerland at 82.40 years and Italy at 81.74 years.
The ministry also projected that female infants born in 2025 have a 39.70 percent lifetime risk of dying from cancer, heart disease or cerebrovascular disease, down 0.59 percentage point from the previous year. The corresponding risk for male infants declined 0.38 percentage point to 45.03 percent.
The figures were included in the ministry’s annual abridged life table, which is compiled using estimated population data and other demographic information. Japan also produces a complete life table every five years based on the national census.
