BIOGRAPHY

Masao Kōge was born on 30 April 1913, in Korea during the Japanese colonial period. At some point, she married in Korea, and after World War II, she moved to her husband’s hometown of Tsuruta-machi (now Satsuma) in Japan. There, she raised five children, despite the challenges of adapting to the Kagoshima dialect.

Known for her patient and quiet personality, she was also skilled at making kimchi. Even at the age of 111, she was still able to feed herself.

Kōge passed away from natural causes (senility) on 20 April 2025, at the age of 111 years and 355 days.

RECOGNITION

On 6 July 2024, following the passing of 112-year-old Sueko Katsu, she became the oldest living person in Kagoshima Prefecture, at the age of 111 years, 67 days.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Yu Li, Ryohei Asano, and  Yumi Yamamoto, and validated by LongeviQuest on 19 September 2024. She became the first validated supercentenarian who was born on the Korean peninsula.

ATTRIBUTION

* “105歳おめでとうございます” – Public Relations Satsuma №159

* “111歳、鹿児島県内最高齢者が死去” － Minami Nippon Shimbun, April 22 2025

GALLERY