BIOGRAPHY

Matsuyo Ōuchi was born on 3 June 1896 and spent most of her life in Ōmishima, Ehime Prefecture, where she was affectionately known in her community as Mā-neesan (“Sister Mā”).

In 2000, at the age of 104, Ōuchi underwent surgery for a femoral neck fracture at Nakayama Memorial Hospital in Imabari City. The case was featured in the local edition of a national newspaper and drew public attention due to the rarity of such procedures being performed on centenarians at the time. Although surgery at such an advanced age carried significant risks, Ōuchi expressed a strong desire to recover and avoid becoming bedridden. With the full support of her family, the hospital decided to proceed with the operation. A rod was inserted to stabilize the femur, and she began rehabilitation the very next day. Her determination and swift recovery—including her ability to use a wheelchair shortly after the surgery—served as an encouraging example for other elderly patients and caregivers.

Ōuchi was a well-respected figure in her local community and maintained a long-standing connection with Manpuku-ji Temple, spanning four generations of head priests. Even in her later years, she retained a sharp memory and clear thinking. Her pilgrimage to the head temple in Kyoto at around age 16, for the 650th memorial of Shinran Shonin—the founder of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism—reflected the depth of her faith from a young age.

She passed away peacefully on 25 February 2007, at the age of 110 years and 267 days, having spent her final years in a hospital in Matsuyama.

RECOGNITION

As of 2003, at the age of 107, Ōuchi was ranked as the ninth-oldest person in Ehime Prefecture. In February 2006, following the death of 109-year-old Kiyoko Ukiana of Imabari City, she became the oldest living person in the prefecture. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Hisako Sakai.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Ryohei Asano, and validated by LongeviQuest on 11 June 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* Zenkoku Kōreisha Meibo (National List of Elderly Persons)

* Japanese Centenarian Directory

* “104歳、大三島町の大内マツヨさんが骨折手術成功「高齢者の励みに」/愛媛” – Mainichi Shimbun, 16 September 2000

GALLERY