BIOGRAPHY

Mitsu Yamakawa was born in Japan on 21 January 1906. Despite the challenges of food shortages during and after World War II, she successfully raised four sons.

On 17 January 1995, at the age of 89, she endured the devastating Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which partially destroyed her home. She was forced to evacuate but continued to live with her eldest son in Nagata Ward, Kobe City, until she turned 105. Although she became hard of hearing in her later years, Yamakawa remained passionate about watching Hanshin Tigers baseball games.

In 2011, following the passing of her eldest son, she moved to a nursing home in Suma Ward, Kobe City. By 2016, at the age of 110, she was still in good health and enjoyed her meals. She attributed her longevity to “eating well.” In September 2016, the mayor of Kobe visited the nursing home to congratulate her on becoming the prefecture’s oldest resident and to celebrate her remarkable longevity.

Mitsu Yamakawa passed away from old age on 20 November 2016, at the age of 110 years, 304 days.

RECOGNITION

On 17 June 2016, after the death of 111-year-old Kinue Yoshida of Takarazuka City, Yamakawa became the oldest living person in Hyōgo Prefecture, at the age of 110 years, 148 days. Upon her own passing, she was succeeded by Matsue Kimura.

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 15 October 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

* “いつまでも元気で過ごして　兵庫県内最高齢110歳・山川さんにお祝い状” – 23 September 2016

GALLERY