This figure is a record and once again highlights the demographic challenges facing the country, according to statistics published by the Japanese government.

The figure represents an increase of 20,000 people over the previous year and accounts for 29.3 percent of the total Japanese population, the highest percentage among countries in the world with comparable data, according to the report published by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The document, published on the occasion of Japan’s celebration of Respect for the Elderly Day on Monday, also shows that one in four people over 65 continue to work.

Of Japan’s over-65 population, 20.53 million are women and the remaining 15.72 million are men.

Japan also has 12.9 million people aged 80 and over, or 10.4 percent of the population.

Based on current demographic trends, the proportion of the population over 65 is expected to reach 34.8 percent by 2040.

In addition, Japan’s working-age population is expected to reach 9.14 million, also representing a new high and 13.5 percent of the country’s total number of workers.

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