Ume Nakajima (中島ウメ)

BIOGRAPHY

Ume Nakajima (中島ウメ) was born in Asahikawa City, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, on 16 February 1915. Her mother was also reportedly long-lived, reaching the age of 100.

At around the age of 35, Nakajima met a man engaged in Buddhist missionary work in Asahikawa and married him. Having grown up with opportunities to listen to Buddhist teachings at a temple near her family home, she had been familiar with Buddhism from an early age and became deeply involved in Buddhist life after her marriage.

After living in Niigata Prefecture, Nakajima and her husband moved to Kōshū City, Yamanashi Prefecture, about two years after their marriage, where they settled at a temple that had been without a resident priest for around 30 years.

Her husband, who served as the temple’s priest, later died of illness at the age of 61, leaving Nakajima and their two children. In response to requests from families affiliated with the temple to continue the temple, her eldest son, who was still in his teens at the time, became his father’s successor. For about five years, until her son completed his university studies and obtained the necessary qualifications, Nakajima managed the temple on her own.

Through funerals and other temple events, she had many opportunities to interact with temple members. She placed importance on listening to people with empathy and, drawing on her sociable nature, often offered advice to those who came to her with their concerns. She continued to participate in gatherings for people connected with the temple, as well as meeƟngs for single-mother families, into her 80s. Her eldest son later recalled that his mother was always on the move and seemed to enjoy being active.

At the age of 103, Nakajima was still keeping a diary, a daily practice she had continued for more than 60 years since moving to Yamanashi Prefecture. She carefully filled her notebooks with handwritten entrie about her household finances, meals, memorable events, and various thoughts, including phrases such as “not having an ego,” “connecting with people,” and “walking around.”

In an interview with the Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun at the age of 103, she reportedly said with a smile that she was grateful to Buddha for allowing her to remain healthy without suffering any serious illnesses.

She currently lives in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of Tomi Ono (113) of Tsuru City on 21 April 2026, Nakajima became the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture

In September 2026, she was reported to be the oldest living person in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Her age was verified by Kōshū City, Ryohei Asano and Yumi Yamamoto, and validated by LongeviQuest on 25 September 2026.

ATTRIBUTION

• “やまなし100歳の肖像伝えたい言葉＜２６＞寺を切り盛り60年　中島ウメさん（甲州）「仏様に感謝している」” ― Yamanashi Nichinichi Shimbun, 21 May 2018

GALLERY

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