Michi Kudō, the oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, passed away in Eniwa City on 17 January, at the age of 111 years, 342 days. Her passing was confirmed by her family.
Michi Kudō was born in Datemonbetsu (now Date City), Hokkaido Prefecture, on 9 February 1914, as the eldest of eight children in a family that owned a kimono shop.
After graduating from higher elementary school, she learned Japanese dressmaking and fell in love with Jiro, a civil servant. At the time, marriage in Japan was traditionally arranged, as family background was a key consideration. However, Michi and Jiro defied strong opposition from their parents and eloped around the age of 20. They began their married life in Atsuga (now Hidaka Town), Hokkaido, and had three children by the time of World War II.
During the war, they were invited to China by Kudō’s brother-in-law, who was running a successful business there. After the war, most of their belongings were confiscated, but they managed to return to Japan, arriving in Kyoto Prefecture. After returning, they rented a room in company housing in Muroran, Hokkaido, through her brother-in-law who worked at a steelworks. Her husband resumed work as a civil servant at the Food Agency, and they had two more children. The family moved around Hokkaido due to her husband’s job, eventually settling permanently in Eniwa City.
On 24 July 2025, following the passing of 113-year-old Kiyo Itō, she became the oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Michi Kudō during this difficult time.
