We were grateful to have the opportunity to interview with the family of Koyū Morita (森田コユウ), 112, the oldest resident of Osaka, Japan, to learn more about her life and the daily habits that have supported her longevity.

Living as a Strong Mother

Mrs. Morita was born in Okayama Prefecture on 12 July 1913. At the age of 19, she married and moved to Fukuyama City in Hiroshima Prefecture. She had four children, though one sadly passed away in early childhood. When her husband fell ill and passed away during World War II, she devoted herself to raising their three sons. To support them, she worked in physically demanding jobs such as logging, while also cultivating a vegetable garden.

According to her family, Mrs. Morita was a caring yet strict mother, shaped by the resolve and effort required to raise three sons on her own. Like many women born in the Meiji era, Mrs. Morita, born in 1913 during the Taishō era, was also a woman of inner strength.

The Routines of Her Later Years

Around the age of 70, Mrs. Morita moved to Matsubara City in Osaka to live with her second son’s family. Until about 80, she actively contributed to household chores such as laundry and cleaning. She followed a steady routine—rising at 5 a.m., taking a brisk one-hour walk, and reading the newspaper from start to finish.

Knitting was another daily joy. Sweaters, vests, and colorful yarn scrubbers flowed from her hands, and many of them are still in use by her family today.

Food Habits and Moderation

She would never ate nattō, a food widely regarded in Japan as healthy, and she was not particularly fond of most fish. For breakfast she ate rice and miso soup, and for lunch she preferred bread, hot milk, and fruit, especially mandarins. She never ate to fullness, a habit her family believes contributed to her health—an approach often described in Japan as “hara hachi bu,” or eating until about 80 percent full.

A Softer, More Endearing Grandmother in Later Years

Having raised three sons on her own, Mrs. Morita carried herself with strength and responsibility for much of her life. But after settling with her son’s family, she gradually softened into a gentler presence—still dignified, but increasingly remembered for her warm smile.

Even when faced with health challenges later in life, her recovery was often quicker than expected. After a fractured femur, a stroke, and even COVID-19, she typically recovered within just a few days. In 2019, when she was 105 years old, she was still able to walk with a steady stride using a rollator, often moving faster than her own family members.

Koyu Morita (森田コユウ) in 2019
(Photo provided with the kind permission of her family)

Her Daily Life and Longevity Celebration

At 112, Mrs. Morita has experienced vision loss due to cataracts but continues to feed herself with chopsticks or a spoon. She listens attentively during family visits, recognizes their voices, and engages in conversation with warmth and clarity. In recent times, she no longer needs oxygen support while sitting, and her family notes that her health has improved compared to before.

In September 2025, she was officially recognized as the oldest known living person in Osaka. On 10 September, ahead of Respect for the Aged Day (Keirō no Hi), she received a congratulatory visit from the mayor of Matsubara City—an honor that reflects both her longevity and the admiration of her community.

In September 2025, honored as the oldest resident of Osaka, Japan. (Source: Instagram).

Wishing Her Health and Happiness

Based on what her family shared, I feel that Mrs. Morita’s longevity may be attributed to many factors: the inner strength she developed through hardship, the physical endurance built during years of postwar labor, and the daily exercise she maintained until the age of 105. Most of all, her warm life with family appears to have supported her through the years.

We sincerely wish her continued good health and happiness, and we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to her family for kindly sharing their memories and details of her life with us.

For a more detailed biography of Mrs. Koyū Morita (森田コユウ), please see here.