Yoshiko Naitō, the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, passed away on November 13, at the age of 112 years, 277 days.
Yoshiko Naitō was born in Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, on 10 February 1912, as the second of four siblings. During her school years at an all-girls’ school, she was an excellent student who loved studying. Following her graduation, she spent several years teaching Japanese dressmaking to local girls in her community until her marriage. At the age of 21, she married a seal engraver, four years her senior, and the couple had five children.
From her youth, she had numerous hobbies and interests. These included a passion for international travel, pilgrimages to temples across Japan, reading books, and tending to a vegetable garden, a practice she carried on until the age of 95 when she suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Her final overseas trip took place at the age of 93. She was reading newspapers daily, borrowing a minimum of five books monthly from the library, and participating in an elderly educational institution known as “Kangakuin” (Japanese: 勧学院).
On 15 September 2023, following the passing of 112-year-old Haruyo Fukasawa, she became the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture.
At the time of her passing, she was survived by two siblings: her 102-year-old brother and 99-year-old sister.
LongeviQuest sends our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of Yoshiko Naitō.
