BIOGRAPHY

Kimie Baraki was born in Mitoyo City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, on 13 August 1914. She married into a family that owned a grain store in Kan’onji City. Until the age of 103, when she moved into a care facility, Baraki remained actively involved in household chores, cooking meals, cleaning, and doing laundry for her family. She also developed a love for singing folk songs, a hobby she took up around the age of 70.

On 18 September 2024, the mayor of Kan’onji City visited her at the care facility to celebrate her longevity. During the visit, she shared her secrets to a long and healthy life: “Enjoy your food, stop eating when you’re 80% full, don’t speak ill of others, and live each day with gratitude.” Even at 110, she remained actively engaged in rehabilitation exercises, enjoyed writing letters to friends and family, watching sumo on TV and doing coloring activities. Her second son reflected on her personality, saying, “My mother is kind, and I was never scolded.”

At 110 years old, Baraki had three children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Yumi Yamamoto and Marco Wikkerink, and validated by LongeviQuest on 24 October 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “百歳の今も現役、いつまでもお元気で” – Kan’onji City Newsletter, No. 108

* “「人の悪口は言わない。毎日感謝の気持ち」観音寺市の佐伯市長が110歳女性に長寿のお祝い【香川】” – 8OHK, 18 September 2024

* “１１０歳「うれしさ頂上」　最高齢茨木さんを市長祝福　観音寺” – Shikoku Shimbun, 20 September 2024

* “市内最高齢110歳の方を市長が表敬訪問” – Kan’onji City Public Relations, 1 October 2024

GALLERY