Yoshiko Takasu (高須よし子), a resident of Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, was recently validated as a supercentenarian, at the age of 110 years, 222 days.
Takasu was born in Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, on 21 June 1914, as the second eldest of five siblings in a farming family. Growing up surrounded by lush mountains, she developed a lifelong love for nature and the outdoors.
After completing her compulsory education, she dedicated herself to helping care for her younger siblings and assisting with farm work. In her 30s, she married and later opened a dining establishment, eventually transitioning to running a kappō-style restaurant until she was around 55 years old.
Around the age of 65, Takasu began attending a senior university program hosted by Himeji City, where she studied horticulture for six years. During her time there, she attended morning lectures, enjoyed lunches with friends at restaurants, and participated in monthly bus trips. She traveled to distant destinations like Nagano and Wakayama Prefectures and visited nearby Higashiyama Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture monthly. Even after graduating, she continued to enjoy traveling into her 80s.
Takasu’s home was a lively social hub, featuring a karaoke room where she hosted gatherings with friends. Known for her nurturing and approachable “big sister” personality, she cherished spending time with her close-knit circle of companions.
Takasu remained highly active even in her later years. After breaking her femur at the age of 100, she committed to rehabilitation and made daily walks with a walker part of her routine until her second femur fracture at the age of 108, which prompted her decision to move into a care home. Before this, she lived independently for nearly 40 years. While living alone, she maintained a disciplined routine, having breakfast at 6 a.m. and going to bed by 10 p.m. She often requested meat-based dishes from her home care worker, preferring smaller portions of rice and plenty of meat.
At 110, she maintains a hearty appetite, enjoys a wide variety of foods, and continues to live her days peacefully.
Following the passing of a 111 years-old anonymous woman on 14 January 2025, Takasu became the oldest living resident of Himeji City.
We extend our congratulations to Takasu-san on her incredible longevity and express our gratitude to her family for sharing her story and photographs. May she continue to enjoy good health, happiness, and many more joyful moments in the years ahead.