The oldest living person in Kagoshima Prefecture, Sueko Katsu, passed away in the town of town of Setouchi on 6 July 2024, at the age of 112 years, 102 days, following a brief battle with cancer.
Sueko Katsu was born in Setouchi, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, on 26 March 1912, as the fifth of six siblings. Longevity was present in her family, as two sisters lived to the ages of 99 and 105. In 1937, she married Seikō Katsu, with whom she had five children. As a farmer, she and her husband cultivated a diverse range of fruits, such as pineapples and mandarin oranges, along with numerous vegetables, including sugar cane.
She was passionate about music, and in her 80s and 90s played the traditional Japanese drum in festivals in Setouchi Town with her older sister, who played the shamisen. Her love of drumming continued into old age, where she continued to play the instrument until she was 107. She enjoyed cuisine native to her island – particularly pork and fish miso – and maintained a nightly routine which involved her drinking brown sugar sake before bedtime. She was also always known to keep a fermented drink called “miki,” made from fermented rice, sweet potatoes, and sugar in her refrigerator. In her later years, despite her age, she nonetheless maintained a positive outlook on life, and expressed her desire to live even longer.
LongeviQuest sends our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Sueko Katsu.
