BIOGRAPHY

Hana Yokoyama was born in Japan on 20 August 1914. She married in 1931 and devoted herself to farm work, joyfully singing with her neighbors’ wives, while raising three children and assisting her husband with charcoal making and weaving.

Two days after her 100th birthday, the mayor visited her home to celebrate this milestone. She stood proudly as she received a congratulatory letter and a gift. At the age of 106, she remained active, tending to her garden by weeding and harvesting vegetables. Every morning, she made offerings at the Buddhist altar, recited sutras, and wrote in her diary. On 20 August 2024, Yokoyama celebrated her 110th birthday at her home in Nanto City, sharing the occasion with her great-grandson in a joint birthday celebration. During the event, she sang one of her favorite songs, delighting her family and demonstrating her enduring love for music even at this remarkable age. At 110, Yokoyama could still walk with the aid of a walker.

Yokoyama passed away on November 13, 2024, in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan, at the age of 110 years and 85 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of Sumiko Takemaru on 13 February 2024, she became the oldest living person in Toyama Prefecture.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Yumi Yamamoto, Takehiro Shibuya, and Ryohei Asano, and validated by LongeviQuest on 12 September 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “横山 花さん満100歳おめでとうございます” – Nanto City Public Relations, 22 August 2014

* “［ほのぼの＠タウン］9月14日＝富山　◆南砺市◆” – Yomiuri Shimbun, 14 September 2016

GALLERY