BIOGRAPHY

Yoshi Yamamoto (山本ヨシ) was born on 18 February 1913, in Tsukigata, Hokkaido, Japan, as the eldest daughter of Koichiro Shiobara and Tsutsuyo. Her lineage includes Tasuke Shiobara, a well-known merchant from the Edo period. She was the second of four siblings, with an older brother, a younger sister, and a younger brother. In 1931, at the age of 18, she married Koshiro Yamamoto, a fellow resident of her village. They had six children—one son and five daughters.

From 1941 to 1948, while her husband was away for military service, Yoshi took on both household and farming responsibilities, ensuring the stability of her family. Even after her grandchildren were born, she cared for them with love and enjoyed making snacks for them using leftover ingredients.

Yoshi had a deep love for music. She enjoyed both singing and listening to songs, and music always brought happiness to her heart.

Before moving into a care home, she remained active by helping with the family’s farming business and taking care of the chickens she raised. According to her family, she had a strong-willed personality and was known for never losing an argument, even with boys, when she was young.

On 18 February 2025, Yoshi celebrated her 112th birthday at her care home. During the celebration, when the staff congratulated her with “Omedetou gozaimasu” (Congratulations), she responded by singing a song, expressing her joy through music. For her birthday meal, she requested sekihan (red bean rice) and ate it herself using a spoon. She was also delighted to receive flowers from LongeviQuest, which made her smile with joy.

In her later years, Yoshi lived in a senior care home in Tsukigata. She continued to express her thoughts clearly, enjoyed a variety of foods, and maintained good health. She rarely stayed in her room during the day, preferring to participate in recreational activities in the common area. Twice a month, she attended dance lessons and enjoyed hand dancing while seated in her wheelchair.

Yamamoto passed away on 12 June 2025, in Iwamizawa, Hokkaido, at the age of 112 years, 114 days.

RECOGNITION

In September 2022, she was reported as the oldest living person in Sorachi Subprefecture.

In September 2023, she was reported as the sixth-oldest living person in Hokkaido Prefecture.

Her age was verified by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW), as well as Yu Li, and validated by LongeviQuest on 1 March 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

(The biography of Yoshi Yamamoto (山本ヨシ) was compiled entirely through interviews with her family.)

GALLERY