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Supercentenarian Profile

Hatsuno Tanaka

Born:

1899-05-20

Fukuoka Prefecture

Japan

Died:

2011-03-29

Fukuoka Prefecture

Japan

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Hatsuno Tanaka [Japanese: 田中初野] was a Japanese supercentenarian who was the oldest living person in Fukuoka Prefecture at the time of her passing.

BIOGRAPHY

Hatsuno Tanaka (田中初野) was born in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, on May 20, 1899.

According to her second son, she was said to have been physically weak in her younger years, but from her seventies onward, she made radio calisthenics a part of her daily routine and experienced no major illnesses apart from the common cold. She continued this exercise habit until the age of 108 and still stood with a straight back around that time. Every morning, she also made it a habit to read the newspaper.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Tanaka answered that it was eating a wide variety of foods without being picky. She had a fondness for sweets such as manju and fruit. Known for her kindness, she would often share delicious food with others, saying, “Let’s split it.” She was also described as someone who always put her hands together and expressed gratitude with the word “thank you.”

At the age of 111, she was still able to walk with assistance and took it upon herself to help fold the dining aprons used by fellow nursing home residents, always looking for ways to be of service. Her son recalled that she had a cheerful disposition, rarely dwelled on worries, enjoyed laughter, and loved interacting with others.

As of age 111, she had one living child, six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. While her official residence was in Yanagawa City, she had been living in a nursing home in neighboring Miyama City since the age of 103.

Tanaka passed away from pneumonia at a special nursing home for the elderly in Matsuda, Setaka Town, Miyama City, on March 29, 2011, at the age of 111 years and 313 days. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living person in Fukuoka Prefecture.