Biography
Shizue Hasegawa was born in the village of Nagura, Kitashitara-gun, Aichi, on 27 January 1885 as the daughter of a hunter. After her marriage, she relocated to Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City, and had four children.
In 1945, during the bombing raids on Nagoya, Hasegawa would keep a pair of straw sandals next to her bed to aid in immediate escape if necessary. In 1963, after the death of her husband, she moved into a Nagoya nursing home, at the time aged 78.
According to the nursing home’s manager, Hasegawa had a “calm, gentle personality.” He reported that she was never angry with anyone, and never spoke ill of others. Hasegawa stated that the secret to her longevity was, “There’s no such thing.”
Hasegawa had a talent for ring toss, and regularly partook in competitions in the nursing home. She enjoyed singing traditional Japanese folk songs, and her favourite foods were meat and satsumas.
As a supercentenarian, Hasegawa was hard of hearing and suffering from weakening legs, but she was otherwise in good health, being able to eat and dress independently. At 112, she had been in her nursing home for 34 years, longer than anyone – including the staff.
Shizue Hasegawa passed away in a hospital in Nagoya on 31 July 1997 at the age of 112 years, 185 days.
