Michi Kudō

BIOGRAPHY

Michi Kudō was born on 9 February 1914 in Datemonbetsu (now Date City), Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, as the eldest of eight children in a family that owned a kimono shop.

After graduating from higher elementary school, she learned Japanese dressmaking and fell in love with Jiro, a civil servant. At the time, marriage in Japan was traditionally arranged, as family background was a key consideration. However, Michi and Jiro defied strong opposition from their parents and eloped around the age of 20. They began their married life in Atsuga (now Hidaka Town), Hokkaido, and had three children by the time of World War II.

During the war, they were invited to China by Kudō’s brother-in-law, who was running a successful business there. The couple lived a comfortable life, even employing a maid, until Japan’s defeat brought significant hardships. After the war, most of their belongings were confiscated, but they managed to return to Japan, arriving at Maizuru Port in Kyoto Prefecture. Kudō hid jewelry and other valuables in her tied long hair to protect their remaining possessions, while Jiro carried a futon and led their three young children back to Japan.

After returning, they rented a room in company housing in Muroran, Hokkaido, through her brother-in-law who worked at a steelworks. Her husband resumed work as a civil servant at the Food Agency, and they had two more children. Kudō also took in her nephews from Tokushima who were living in poverty, raising a total of seven children. She and her husband emphasized education, providing the children with opportunities for a good education and encouraging them to pursue their studies, with several going on to University.

Kudō often told her family of the postwar struggles they endured after returning from China, but she did not find raising seven children difficult. Her husband’s position as a well-liked civil servant brought them gifts of agricultural produce from local farmers during New Year’s and Obon, allowing her family to enjoy delicious meals together. Although their lifestyle was secure due to her husband’s work, Kudō was grateful for these thoughtful gifts from the community. The family moved around Hokkaido due to her husband’s job, eventually settling permanently in Eniwa City. When Kudō was 67, her eldest son and his family also moved to Eniwa to live with her. Known for her excellent housekeeping skills, she continued cooking family meals several times a week until the age of 94, using a home delivery meal kit. She would carefully read recipes at 3 p.m. to prepare dinners for her son and daughter-in-law, who returned home around 10 p.m. from their jobs as cram school instructors.

Kudō enjoyed shopping and regularly walked to a nearby supermarket, about 15 minutes from her home, maintaining an active lifestyle. She lived with family until the age of 109, remaining able to climb stairs to her second-floor room. Fashion was a lifelong passion for Kudō. Each morning, she would wash her face, apply Shiseido makeup, and dress with care, following a routine that included praying at the Buddhist altar and making her bed before breakfast. After breakfast, she would read the newspaper thoroughly, from cover to cover. She also visited a beauty salon several times a week to have her hair washed and styled, always maintaining her appearance.

A lover of meat, especially pork belly stewed in sweet soy sauce, Kudō continued to enjoy hearty meals. Even after turning 100, she would order a large serving of rice and enjoy beef and kimchi at yakiniku restaurants with her family. Though she had knee surgery at the age of 100 and treatment for gallstones after 105, she has remained remarkably healthy throughout her life.

In October 2024, Kudō was hospitalized with COVID-19, but she made a full recovery and was discharged about a month later.

Kudō currently resides in a nursing home in Eniwa City, Hokkaido, where she enjoys her days in a comfortable and supportive environment.

Slide

RECOGNITION

In September 2023, Kudō was recognized as the 8th-oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture.

In September 2024, Kudō was announced as the 3rd-oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture, and the mayor of Eniwa City visited her at her nursing home to celebrate her longevity.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Yumi Yamamoto and Ryohei Asano, and validated by LongeviQuest on 28 November 2024.