Fuji Nozawa

BIOGRAPHY

Fuji Nozawa (野澤フジ) was born in Japan on September 20, 1893.

As a child, she attended an elementary school that was known locally as the “Komori (Babysitter) School,” because students often had to care for younger siblings while studying. She herself would go to classes at a temple while carrying her little siblings on her back.

Even after turning 100, she remained active—she was known to fold her traditional Japanese futon by herself and go for walks along mountain paths on her own. At the age of 108, she moved into a nursing home. A hard worker by nature, she asked the staff to “please give me something to do” and helped with tasks such as folding dining aprons for other residents.

She was known for her calm and natural demeanor, and her motto was “Don’t dwell on things.” She was also an avid reader. At the age of 110, she was still able to walk with the aid of a walker, dress herself, and eat all of her meals without assistance. Around that time, she reportedly said, “The reason I’m still alive like this is thanks to God.”

Nozawa passed away from natural causes on September 6, 2004, at the age of 110 years and 352 days. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living person in Gunma Prefecture.

RECOGNITION

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 15 September 2004 and later recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

• “［２０世紀にっぽん人の記憶］（８４）学校・１００歳の証言＝１（連載）” ― Yomiuri Shimbun, May 24, 2000
• “「働くのが生きがい」　県内最高齢の野沢さん、小寺知事が表敬訪問＝群馬” ― Yomiuri Shimbun, September 15, 2001

GALLERY

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