Yamaguchi was born in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture on 20 March 1907. Her former samurai family was well-known in her area and was described as “distinguished” by acquaintances.
Yamaguchi later married and had six children, two sons, and four daughters. She was a full-time housewife, while her husband worked in forestry. Her family reported that she always maintained a “dignified posture.”
Following the 1 April 2016 death of Minoe Kageyama, Yamaguchi, then aged 109, became the oldest resident of Miyazaki Prefecture.
Aged 111, Yamaguchi, along with her six children, had eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. She claimed that the secret to her longevity was, “I try to think only of the good and am grateful [for] every day.”
Yamaguchi’s daily routines aged 113 included reading books and newspapers. She had a loud and clear voice and was still mentally sharp.
Yamaguchi died in Hyuga, Miyazaki on 6 September 2020 at the age of 113 years, 170 days. She was succeeded as the prefecture’s oldest living person by Hide Hamabe (1908 – 2023).
Yamaguchi’s age was verified by Oliver Thorpe and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), and was validated by the GRG on 26 June 2019.