BIOGRAPHY

Kiyomi Katō was born in what is now Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on 29 March 1914. She married and raised three sons. During World War II, she traveled to Manchuria (now northeastern China) and, after the war, returned to Japan with her family and young children, narrowly escaping danger as bullets grazed her. After the war, Katō relocated to Gunma Prefecture due to her husband’s work. There, she worked as a nursing assistant at Gunma University Hospital. She reportedly commuted by bicycle, which helped keep her legs and hips strong and active well into her 80s.

Katō was known for her many hobbies, including ballroom dancing and calligraphy. From a young age, she was health-conscious and followed a balanced diet, often cooking with about 15 different ingredients. Her cooking specialties included homemade gyoza and a distinctive curry rice made with a blend of spices.

At the age of 100, she revealed that the secret to her longevity was daily walks and naps. Even at 104, she occasionally returned home from the nursing home for overnight stays and enjoyed meat dishes and the occasional drink. At 110, she continued to have a healthy appetite, eating three meals a day and indulging in sweets like ice cream.

RECOGNITION

On 17 February 2024, Katō became the oldest living person in Gunma Prefecture following the death of an anonymous woman from Takasaki City, who was born in August 1913 and passed away at the age of 110.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Ryohei Asano and Yumi Yamamoto, and validated by LongeviQuest on 4 October 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “3月31日（月）百寿者（加藤きよみさん）表敬訪問” – Maebashi City Mayor’s Photo Report, 31 March 2014

* “教えて！元気の秘訣” – 広げよう介護予防の輪, 1 September 2018

* “山本知事　県内最高齢１１０歳の長寿祝う　群馬・前橋市” – Gunma Television, 18 September 2024

* “山本知事 県内最高齢１１０歳の加藤きよみさん訪問 長寿祝う” – NHK Gunma, 18 September 2024

GALLERY