Shinno Shutō (Japanese: 首藤信乃) is a Japanese supercentenarian whose age has been validated by LongeviQuest.
BIOGRAPHY
Shinno Shutō (首藤信乃) was born on 25 August 1916 in Kashizaki, Monou Village, Monou District, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan (present-day Kashizaki, Monou, Ishinomaki City). He was the third son in a family of eight children. After his two older brothers died at young ages, his parents reportedly chose the name “Shinno,” taking one of its characters from the name of General Nogi Maresuke, one of the most prominent Japanese military figures of the Meiji era.
According to Shutō, he was an energetic and mischievous boy from an early age. After graduating from elementary school, he began working at a kimono shop in Kahoku at the age of 14.
In 1943, at the age of 26, Shutō married. The following year, he was sent to serve in World War II. In 1946, the year after the war ended, he safely returned to Japan from Indochina. When he arrived at his wife’s family home, he saw his two-year-old daughter innocently playing in the mud. Shutō later recalled that seeing her made him deeply appreciate the preciousness of peace.
In 1948, Shutō began working for a civil engineering office of the Miyagi Prefectural Government where he remained until retiring at the age of 62. After retirement, he devoted himself to farming at home and continued to lead an active life in his community, including serving as the chief representative of parishioners at a local Shinto shrine.
His beloved wife died in 1993. Shutō went on to be surrounded by a large family, including four children, eight grandchildren, and at least nine great-grandchildren. At the age of 106, Shutō said that one of his daily pleasures was relaxing at home over a cup of tea. He had no particular dislikes when it came to food and enjoyed both meat and fish. When asked about the secret to his longevity, he said, “Maybe my body is strong because I walked a lot when I was young.”
Shutō is also known for continuing to exercise his right to vote well into advanced age. He reportedly never abstained from voting in a city council election, continuing to make his way to the polling station through the age of 109. In May 2026, he traveled to the polling station in a car driven by his great-grandchild and walked inside with the assistance of his eldest son. After casting his ballot, he expressed his gratitude, saying that he had been able to vote with their help.
As of May 2026, at the age of 109, Shutō had impaired vision due to glaucoma but was reportedly still able to carry out most aspects of his daily life, including dressing himself and using the toilet, without assistance.
He currently lives in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
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RECOGNITION
In September 2024, at the age of 108, Shutō was announced as the oldest living man in Miyagi Prefecture.
In September 2025, he was again reported to be the prefecture’s oldest living man.
In September 2026, at the age of 110, Shutō was announced as the oldest living person in Miyagi Prefecture.
His age was verified by Ishinomaki City and Ryohei Asano, and validated by LongeviQuest on 16 September 2026.
ATTRIBUTION
- “三食欠かさず一人で着替え 毎日のお茶が楽しみ” ― Ishinomaki City Newsletter, July 2023
- “石巻市議選 109歳、今回も投票 県内男性最高齢の首藤さん、棄権知らず” ― Kahoku Shinpo, 30 May 2026
GALLERY
At age 109 on 30 May 2026. (Source: Kahoku Shinpo).
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