21 May 2025 — LongeviQuest is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mine Kondō (近藤ミネ) and Masu Usui (臼井ます), the two oldest verified residents of Japan. The supercentenarians passed away just one day apart—on 20 May and 21 May, respectively—at the ages of 114 years and 261 days and 114 years and 154 days.
Mine Kondō (近藤ミネ) — 1 September 1910 – 20 May 2025 (aged 114 years, 261 days)
Early Life and Family
Mine Kondō was born in the village of Ikuma (now part of Toyota City), Aichi Prefecture, as the fifth of seven siblings. At age 20, she married a farmer from Higashihagihira and had nine children, six of whom—three sons and three daughters—survived into adulthood.
A Resilient and Active Life
Deeply connected to her family and the soil, Kondō devoted herself to farming well into her 90s. In her earlier years, while raising her children, she also raised silkworms and made handmade paper at home.
At 101, she was still able to push her walker up the steep slope near her home. At 103, she had an intestinal obstruction and underwent surgery. Doctors expected a three-month recovery, but she recovered in just four days and was discharged after two weeks.
From age 101, Kondō began attending a daycare center in Nagoya. Even at age 113, she continued to enjoy activities such as calligraphy and sother recreational twice a week. Her family described her as cheerful, patient, and positive—someone who never spoke ill of others and did not stress over small things.
Family Bonds and Daily Life
She found joy in staying close to her extended family. After her children married and started families of their own, she happily traveled between their homes to help care for her grandchildren. Even around the age of 110, she could still remember the names and faces of all her great-grandchildren.
Until the age of 114 years and one month, she lived at home with her second daughter and granddaughter. Remarkably, even at that age, she continued eating regular meals without any special modifications—no chopped, softened, or thickened foods—and shared the same meals as her family. She especially enjoyed having dessert after meals. On her 114th birthday in September 2024, she was in good spirits and was able to slurp a bowl of Japanese soba noodles—a small but meaningful example of her preserved independence.
In her daily life at the time, she enjoyed short outings and going for drives, often chatting more than usual as she admired the passing scenery.
Recognition and Final Days
On 5 August 2024, LongeviQuest honored her with a visit, presenting a bouquet and a plaque. During our visit, one moment remains especially vivid: the gentle voice of her late granddaughter softly speaking to her, and Kondō’s peaceful, trusting smile in response. It was a quiet, intimate exchange that reflected the deep love between them. At the time of the visit, she had 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and over 10 great-great-grandchildren.
In March 2025, Kondō fractured her upper thigh and was hospitalized. Though she recovered from aspiration pneumonia in April, her heart function began to decline. She received intensive care in mid-May. She passed away peacefully on May 20, 2025, just weeks after becoming Japan’s oldest verified resident. This followed the passing of Okagi Hayashi on 26 April.
Following Kondō’s death, the new oldest known living person in Aichi Prefecture is Sumiko Taki of Kōnan City, who was born on 1 December 1914, and is currently 110 years old.
Masu Usui (臼井ます) — 18 December 1910 – 21 May 2025 (aged 114 years, 154 days)
Usui’s Early Life and Work
Masu Usui was born in Oyama, Shizuoka Prefecture, as the second of seven siblings. After attending an all-girls’ school in Tokyo, she returned home, married, and raised six children while helping run her husband’s business.
After the war, she rented a field to grow sweet potatoes and made homemade snacks for her children. She was a skilled cook who made both traditional Japanese and Western sweets, which she shared with neighbors and family alike.
Life in the Care Home
She moved into a nursing home at age 100 but maintained her independence well into her 110s—doing laundry by hand, sewing, and applying makeup. She began writing tanka poetry to stay mentally active and could still recite the Hyakunin Isshu at 113. Her memory was so vivid that she could recall singing the British national anthem for the Prince of Wales in 1922 as a schoolgirl.
During a LongeviQuest visit on 6 August 2024, Usui sang that anthem once again and shared stories of her late husband and her interest in investing. Her favorite foods included beef steak, fried shrimp, and tuna sushi. She once ate nine pieces of sushi in one meal, which surprised even those around her. She also loved “Yuki no Yado” rice crackers, which she always kept in stock at her care home.
Final Days and Remembrance
Though her appetite declined slightly from January 2025, she remained cheerful and responsive during family visits. On 20 May, her caregivers informed her that she had become the longest-living person in Japan whose age had been officially verified. She passed away quietly and peacefully the next morning, on 21 May 2025.
These two women lived long and full lives, each rooted in strong family bonds and simple joys. Surrounded by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, they remained closely connected to their families and communities. Their stories offer a gentle reminder of the richness of life in old age, and the enduring power of love and family.
LongeviQuest extends our heartfelt condolences to the families of Mine Kondō and Masu Usui. We are honored to have documented and celebrated their lives.
