News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Reaching 100-years-old is of course something to be celebrated.

But one government which issues congratulatory silver dishes to everyone reaching the timely age has decided to scale back its gifting.

And it's all down to an ageing population making the presentation no longer economically viable.

Japan's Respect for the Aged Day is an annual celebration where all new centenarians are presented with a silver sake dish called a sakazuki.

(Image: Getty)

The next presentations are due to be made on September 15, as the Japan Times reports, in recognition of the ageing achievement of seniors, but last year the tokens cost a staggering £1.3 million.

It's only set to get worse too, as Japan has one of the longest life expectancies in the world.

But the number of people reaching 100 compared to the time the gift was introduced in 1963 has created an expense which Japan are now keen to limit.

In 2014, a total of 29,357 people — including 25,000 women — became centenarians, compared to just 153 when the silver dish was first awarded, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

(Image: Reuters)

The Ministry also predicts that the number could reach 39,000 in 2018.

They have a variety of solutions on the table, including sake dishes made from cheaper material, different presents entirely or even just a letter.

In Japan, women reach an average age of 86.83 years, while men can make an average of 80.50.