Tsuneji Ōyama

BIOGRAPHY

Ōyama was born in Kiyama, Saga Prefecture, Japan, on 9 January 1913. He was the eldest son and the third among nine children born into a farming family. One of his younger brothers died in the East China Sea in 1944, while his youngest brother is still alive as of 2023, at the age of 92.

In 1943, when he was 30 years old, he was drafted and dispatched to China, leaving his two young daughters and wife behind. Shortly before the conclusion of the war, he came back to Japan following orders to safeguard the mainland, managing to avoid detainment in Siberia. Upon his return, he was afflicted with a kidney ailment and experienced widespread bodily swelling.

In his 70s, he battled prostate and heart ailments, but later made a complete recovery. In December 2019, he moved to an aged care facility with rehab facilities. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, he managed to maintain regular family visits through acrylic panels. His wife passed away in 2018, at the age of 100 years, 11 months. Until the age of 100, he was an active driver of both cars and light trucks, using them for his work in the fields. His family attributed his longevity to his practice of engaging both his mind and body in planning for the upcoming year’s crop after each harvest. Furthermore, his family said he has a calm and positive personality. Up until March 2023, he was able to walk with the assistance of a walker.

On January 9, 2024, Ōyama celebrated his 111th birthday at a hospital in Kiyama Town.

Ōyama lives in Kiyama, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Ōyama was able to walk with the assistance of a walker until March 2023. In January 2024, he celebrated his 111th birthday at a hospital in his hometown of Kiyama. He died from natural causes on 30 January 2024 at the age of 111 years, 21 days.

RECOGNITION

Ōyama was first reported at the age of 106, as the oldest male resident of Saga during Keiro no hi (Respect for the Aged Day) in September 2019. He has been reported every year since.

On 23 July 2019, aged 106, he became the oldest living man in Saga Prefecture following the death of 109-year-old Tetsuo Shiki. In 2022, he surpassed Shiki’s age to become Saga’s oldest man ever.