BIOGRAPHY

Kawamoto was born and grew up in Okayama Prefecture. After her marriage, she relocated to Sanyo-Onoda City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. She never drove a car, opting to walk everywhere she needed to go. She disliked no foods.

Kawamoto took up calligraphy aged 84. At the age of 109, one of her works was made into a hanging scroll and sent to the city mayor.

As a supercentenarian, Kawamoto lived in a nursing home in Sanyo-Onoda; she could still eat independently aged 110. She was presented with a congratulatory tribute by the mayor for her 112th birthday, which included gifts and a bouquet of flowers.

Kawamoto died on 29 September 2015 at the age of 112 years, 167 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the death of 109-year-old Kotono Kobayashi on 10 September 2012, Kawamoto became Yamaguchi’s oldest resident. Upon her own death three years and 19 days later, the title passed to Umeyo Konishi (1906 – 2017), then aged 109.

Kawamoto’s age was verified by Anson Davis and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), and was validated by the GRG on 24 June 2014.

ATTRIBUTION

• “県内最高齢：112歳・川本さんに記念品 山陽小野田市長送る/山口” Mainichi Shimbun September 25, 2015 Local Edition/Yamaguchi

• ”県内最高齢：山陽小野田・川本ヤスノさん死去 老衰で 112歳/山口” Mainichi Shimbun October 1, 2015 Local Edition/Yamaguchi

GALLERY