Denzo Ishizaki (Japanese: 石崎 伝蔵) was a Japanese supercentenarian who, at the time of death, was Japan's oldest living person and the world's oldest living man.
Denzo Ishizaki was born in Kanasagō (present-day Hitachiōta), Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, on 20 October 1886 (possibly 2 October).
After graduating from Ota Junior High School (present-day Ota Daiichi High School), he became a teacher and served as a school principal. In 1912, he married and had two sons and two daughters. In 1946, his wife died.
When asked about the secret of his longevity, he would say: “5,000 steps a day, lukewarm baths, and beef for meat.” As an elderly man, he used to spend at least 5 hours a day reading. He lived with his eldest daughter. Around June 1997, at the age of 110, he became unable to walk. Around March 1999, a month before his passing, his physical condition deteriorated and he was recuperating at home.
Ishizaki died from multiple organ failure in his hometown on 29 April 1999, at the age of 112 years, 191 days.
On 24 January 1997, following the death of 112-year-old Gengan Tonaki of Okinawa, he became the oldest living man in Japan, at the age of 110.
On 25 December 1998, following the death of 113-year-old Walter Richardson of the USA, he became the world’s oldest living man, at the age of 112 years, 66 days.
On 12 February 1999, following the death of 113-year-old Yasu Akino of Shizuoka, he became the oldest living person in Japan, at the age of 112.
