Mine Kondō (Japanese: 近藤ミネ), the oldest living person in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture and the third-oldest in the country, celebrated her 114th birthday on September 1st. Her birthday was confirmed through personal correspondence with her family.

Kondō-san was born on 1 September 1910, in the village of Ikuma (伊熊: now part of Toyota City), Aichi, Japan, as the fifth of seven siblings. At the age of 20, she married a farmer from Higashihagihira (Japanese: 東萩平町), and the couple had six children: three sons and three daughters. She gave birth to her youngest child at the age of 40.

During LQ visit in August 2024. From left to right: Ben Meyers (LQ), Mine Kondō, age 113 (近藤ミネ), Naomi Yagami, granddaughter of Kondō-san (八神直美), Yumi Yamamoto (LQ).

During LQ’s visit in August 2024. From left to right: Ben Meyers (LQ), Mine Kondō, age 113 (近藤ミネ), Naomi Yagami, granddaughter of Kondō-san (八神直美), Yumi Yamamoto (LQ).

Until she broke her hip at the age of 101, she could push a pushcart up and down a steep slope to her home. Around the age of 103, she had an intestinal obstruction and underwent surgery. Her doctors told her it would take 3 months to make a full recovery, but she recovered in 4 days and was discharged in 2 weeks.

On 2 March 2023, following the death of 112-year-old Shizu Narita, she became the oldest living person in Aichi Prefecture.

On 5 August 2024, LongeviQuest representatives visited her home, presenting her with a plaque recognizing her as the Prefecture’s oldest resident, along with a bouquet of flowers.

As of today, she is the 8th-oldest living person in the world.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mrs. Mine Kondō on her 114th birthday.