Hikaru Katō, the oldest living man in Japan, celebrated his 112th birthday on 2 May in Kumamoto City.
Hikaru Katō (加藤光) was born on 2 May 1914, in Yamaga City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. He joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, then was drafted at 24 just before World War II. He was first sent to Taiwan and soon after to the Philippines, where he fought American forces and was injured. Later stationed on Timor, he learned of Japan’s defeat when Australian troops arrived and disarmed his unit. As a prisoner of war, he survived by growing food until he was repatriated to Japan in May 1946. Upon his return, Katō resumed work as a clerk at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, contributing to Japan’s post-war agricultural recovery. He served in the Ministry until his retirement at the age of 59.
In 1968, Katō was honored for his 30 years of service. After retiring in 1973, he continued contributing to his community by teaching pottery classes at a city-run Elderly Living Workshop, a hobby he enjoyed well into his mid-90s.
On 8 February 2026, following the passing of 111-year-old Kiyotaka Mizuno, he became the Oldest Living Man in Japan, at the age of 111 years, 282 days. At the moment, he is the 5th-oldest known living man in the world.
LongeviQuest extends warm congratulations to Hikaru Katō on his 112th birthday.
