BIOGRAPHY

Ishii was born in Tomai Village (now Ninohe City), Iwate Prefecture, on 15 September 1904. She married Yoshimitsu Ishii aged 24; the couple had seven children. Her husband worked as a farmer in Takko, Aomori Prefecture, where she later relocated to.

After she was widowed and her children had moved away, Ishii lived independently until 2002, when she moved into a care facility in Takko. Her favourite things to watch on television were professional sumo wrestling, anime, and comedies. She enjoyed conversing with care home staff, relaxing in the bath, and eating snacks and sweet foods between mealtimes.

Ishii’s 112th birthday was celebrated by local dignitaries including Takko’s mayor. Her gifts included a congratulatory letter, a bouquet of flowers, and a hand-made blanket. She claimed the secret to her longevity was, “Eating anything and not being fussy about food.”

Ishii died on 4 March 2017 at the age of 112 years, 170 days. She was survived by her 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

On 7 July 2013, aged 108, Ishii became the oldest living person in Aomori following the death of Ritsu Kudo, 109. Upon her own death, the title passed to Towa Umenai (1908 – 2018).

Ishii’s age was verified by Wacław Jan Kroczek and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), and was validated by the GRG on 6 December 2015.

In February 2016, Ishii surpassed the age of Sakura Kishi and became the oldest person ever to live in Aomori. Later that year, she became the prefecture’s first resident to reach the age of 112.

ATTRIBUTION

• “県内最高齢　五戸・男性106歳　伊賀さん　田子・女性109歳　石井さん” To-o Nippo September 14, 2013 Morning Edition

• “田子/県内最高齢・石井テツさん 112歳 これからも健康で” To-o Nippo September 17, 2016 Morning Edition

GALLERY