BIOGRAPHY

Miyoko Hiroyasu was born in Nakatsu, Ōita Prefecture, Japan, on 23 January 1911. She studied art at a school in Tokyo and later worked as an art teacher in Hiroshima Prefecture, where she met and married her husband. The couple raised three children.

Before moving into a nursing home, Hiroyasu held calligraphy and drawing classes for local elementary school children four times a week at her home in Nakatsu City.

She once recited in English Aesop’s fable The Fox and the Grapes, which she had memorized in high school and still remembers today.

When LongeviQuest visited her and asked about the secret to her longevity, she responded:

“My older sister and younger sister died early, but I have never been sick. I am grateful to my parents for giving me a healthy body. The key to my longevity is doing what I want to do and not being lazy about anything.”
She often added with a smile, “I just live freely and at my own pace!”

On January 23, 2025, Hiroyasu celebrated her 114th birthday at a group home in Nakatsu City. While a COVID-19 infection delayed formal celebrations, she recovered and remained in good condition.

At that time, she was still enjoying activities such as reading the newspaper, sketching, and playing card games like Concentration and Sevens with fellow residents. As of May 2025, she remains mentally alert and in good spirits, enjoying daily conversations with those around her.

RECOGNITION

On 17 September 2018, she was congratulated by the Mayor of Nakatsu City as the oldest living person in the city at the age of 107.

Following the death of 110-year-old Kiyo Sato on 30 April 2021, Hiroyasu was reported to be the oldest living person in Ōita Prefecture.

On 17 September 2021, she had a remote meeting with the prefectural governor of Ōita Prefecture in celebration of her being 110 years old, the oldest living person in the prefecture. On 21 September 2021, the mayor of Nakatsu visited her nursing home presenting her with a bouquet of flowers in celebration of her being the oldest living person in the prefecture.

On February 13, 2024, LongeviQuest made a celebratory visit and sent a bouquet of flowers and a plaque (more information here).

On 21 May 2025, following the passing of Masu Usui, Miyoko Hiroyasu became the oldest living person in Japan.

ATTRIBUTION

* “市長コラム～つなぐ～ 110歳” – Nakatsu City Bulletin, 12 October 2021

* “110歳の長寿お祝い　中津市長、県内最高齢・広安さん訪問　／大分” – Mainichi Shimbun, 23 September 2021

* “大分県内の100歳以上、初の1000人超え　最高齢は中津市の110歳広安さん” – Nishinippon Shimbun, 24 September 2021

* “県内最高齢111歳祝う　中津の広安さん、市長が花束　／大分” – Mainichi Shimbun, 22 September 2022

GALLERY