Okagi Hayashi (Japanese: 林おかぎ) is a Japanese supercentenarian who is currently the oldest living person in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Hayashi was born in the village of Tsumagi (now Tsumagicho, Toki City), Gifu Prefecture, Japan, on 2 September 1909. Her father was a grain wholesaler. After graduating from elementary school, she entered Nakatsu Girls’ High School. At the same time she started school, she left her parents’ house and lived in a high school dormitory.
In her early 20s, she married an elementary school teacher. Her husband was adopted into the Hayashi family, so she never changed her maiden name. They lived in Hokkaido Prefecture until her first son was born, and then returned to Toki City where she took over her family’s grain wholesale business. The couple had nine children in total. She has been very cautious of her health since mid-life, drinking her homemade green juice every morning and exercising along with her husband. Until she was in her 80s, she enjoyed going on hot spring trips and gardening with her friends from school days.
Mrs. Hayashi practiced calligraphy until she was in her 90s. She lived with her family in her home until she was 105. In September 2019, she had 8 living children, 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. At the age of 112, she was still able to read newspapers and enjoyed playing puzzle games.
Mrs. Hayashi currently lives in Tsumagicho, Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
On 24 June 2019, following the death of 110-year-old Tsuyo Wada, she became the oldest living person in Gifu Prefecture.
* “明治人「健康が幸せ」 大正時代 華の女学生／３０代で太平洋戦争 県内最高齢林さん（土岐市）１１３歳“ – Gifu Shimbun, September 19, 2023
