Tome Mizogami (溝上トメ) passed away from pneumonia on 26 September 2026 at the age of 111 years and 336 days. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living person in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
Mizogami was born on 25 October 1914 in Tashiro, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. She was the youngest of nine siblings in a family that ran a sake brewery.
In the early summer of 2026, Mizogami experienced a temporary decline in her health and appetite. By late summer, however, her appetite had returned and her condition had improved.
On 16 September, just ten days before her passing, Mizogami was visited by Kitakyushu Mayor Kazuhisa Takeuchi to celebrate her longevity. She had recently become the oldest living person in Fukuoka Prefecture, and the visit was reported by local media.
During the visit, Mizogami was in good spirits. Asked about the secret to her longevity, she spoke about eating in moderation and taking care of herself. When she learned that the mayor was 55 years old, she told him that he was “still young.”
LongeviQuest’s Visit with Tome Mizogami (溝上トメ)
LongeviQuest had the opportunity to visit Mizogami on 5 April 2025, when she was 110 years old. She had fractured her back only a few months earlier but worked hard on her rehabilitation. At 110, she was still able to stand on her own and walk with support.
During our visit, Mizogami spoke about her life and recalled events from more than 80 years earlier in detail. She told us about her childhood in Kagoshima and her move to Osaka. Her memories also included her years in Taiwan and her return to Japan after the Second World War.
Mizogami lost her mother when she was nine years old. Having known the loneliness of losing a parent at such a young age, she did not want her own children to experience the same loneliness. She promised herself that she would live a long life for her children.
Remarkably, Mizogami continued living on her own until the age of 109. She valued her relationships with people in her community and was warmly supported by those around her. Throughout her long life, she remained active and independent. She enjoyed sewing and continued making her own clothes even in her later years.
When LongeviQuest visited her at the age of 110, she shared three things she considered important for a long life. She advised against arguing with others, believed in forgetting today’s troubles by tomorrow, and ate only until about 80 percent full.
LongeviQuest shared more about her life and our visit in The Smiling Wisdom of Mrs. Tome Mizogami: 110 Years, Three Principles for a Long Life.
LongeviQuest is deeply saddened by the passing of Tome Mizogami. We are grateful that we had the opportunity to meet her and hear her stories firsthand.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Tome Mizogami during this difficult time.
