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Japan cost cuts hit 100 year olds

So many Japanese people are living longer that the government is reducing the size of silver cups presented to those who turn 100 years old.

More than 20,000 people are expected to reach their 100th birthday this year.

The Japanese have one of the longest life expectancies of any nation, but there are concerns about the burden on society of paying for care of the aged.

UN projections suggest there will be about one million Japanese over the age of 100 by 2050.

Last year there were 19,768 new centenarians and the numbers are rising.

The Japanese are so long-lived because of healthy diets, strong communities and relatively easy access to medical care.

Read entire article at BBC