A notable aging issue is emerging in Japan’s business sector, as recent research shows the average age of company chief executives has been steadily increasing for the past 33 years. This upward trend poses challenges for ensuring a seamless transition of leadership to the next generation.

Based on data released by Tokyo-based research firm Teikoku Databank, as of December last year, the average age of company leaders was 60.5 years old, marking a slight increase of 0.1 point from the previous year. This ongoing trend underscores the need to address succession planning in the business world.

Since the firm began monitoring this issue in 1990, the average age of company executives has consistently risen. In 1990, the average age was 54 years old, showing a clear upward trajectory over the past three decades. The research was conducted using the firm’s database of approximately 1.47 million domestic companies.