BIOGRAPHY

Fukunaga was born on 9 January 1887 in Suijō, Ibuki Town (now part of Maibara City), Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

In December 1987, Fukunaga moved into a nursing home. Despite being hard of hearing and requiring a wheelchair for mobility, she maintained remarkable vitality for her age. Known for her devout faith, she had no particular dislikes when it came to food. Though she ate small portions, she consistently enjoyed three meals a day. When asked by reporters about her favourite food, she replied with a smile, “Everything I eat is delicious.”

Fukunaga passed away peacefully from natural causes on her 110th birthday, 9 January 1997, shortly after 10 a.m. at a nursing home in Asai Town. At the time of her death, she was the oldest person in both Shiga Prefecture and the Kinki region of Japan.

RECOGNITION

On 11 February 1995, following the death of Haru Okamoto, a 109-year-old resident of Kusatsu City, Fukunaga became the oldest living person in Shiga Prefecture.

Fukunaga’s age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group on 29 January 2014.

ATTRIBUTION

• “山田新二副知事が近畿最高齢１０９歳の福永よそさんを訪問－－浅井町　／滋賀” – Mainichi Shimbun, 6 September 1996
• ”福永よそさん死去　近畿最高齢の１１０歳　／滋賀” – Asahi Shimbun, 10 January 1997

GALLERY