Hyōgo Prefecture Archives

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Kotoe Nishikawa of Japan at age 110. She was born in Tamba-Sasayama, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan on 28 October 1913. Nishikawa had four older brothers. During her youth, she was known for her energetic spirit, which set her apart from other girls. At some point during her teenage years, she traveled to Tokyo to pursue a career as an assistant nurse.

At 24, Nishikawa got married and quit her job as a nurse to move to Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture. During the tough times of World War II, she had to rush to a nearby shelter to protect herself and her five children, from infants to seven years old, whenever the air raid siren sounded. Although they survived the war’s hardships, their home was destroyed in the Osaka Air Raid. After the war, Nishikawa and her family moved to Sakai City, where she gave birth to her youngest child at the age of 36.

As Nishikawa’s children grew and grandchildren were born, her focus shifted to caring for her grandchildren. In her late 70s, she looked after around 15 grandchildren. Her family explained that her upbringing as a nurse’s assistant before marriage and her unwavering dedication had a profound impact on her, leading her to care for sick relatives as well. In her 80s, she fractured her right femur, necessitating the use of daycare services. At 90, she broke her left femur and moved into a nursing home. Despite having bolts placed in both femurs, she maintained her independence until she was nearly 100 years old. She was an avid reader of kanji, able to decipher even the most challenging ones that most people struggle with.

On 31 October 2022, following the death of 114-year-old Kimiko Ono, she became the oldest living person in Sakai City (although registered as a resident of the city, she was living in a special nursing home in Osaka City).

On her 110th birthday.
(Source: Courtesy of the family)

At the age of 110, she eats three full meals a day and is doing well. Her family praised her as “a person who is devoted to others.” Her mother lived to be around 95 years old, and her siblings lived to be over 80 years old. Five of her six children are still alive as of November 2023.

For more information, please view Kotoe Nishikawa’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Miho Kumagai of Japan at age 111. She was born in Japan on 20 October 1912. In old age, Kumagai eventually transitioned to a specialized nursing home for the elderly. She is considered the oldest living person in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture.

In September 2019, she celebrated her 106th birthday at the nursing home, where she was visited by city officials who presented her with a congratulatory letter on behalf of the mayor in honor of Respect for the Aged Day. Kumagai graciously expressed her appreciation to the visitors, remarking, “You didn’t have to do all this for me.” Even at the age of 106, she maintained a diligent approach to her health, occasionally using a walker for mobility training when her condition allowed.

In September 2023, aged 110.
(Source: Kobe City)

In September 2023, Kumagai marked her 111th birthday at her nursing home, where she once again received a visit from city officials. They presented her with congratulatory gifts and a letter from the mayor in observance of Respect for the Aged Day. When inquired about the secret to her longevity, she humbly responded, “Because everyone is so good to me.”

For more information, please view Kumagai’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Ai Shinohara at 110 years old. She is a Japanese supercentenarian reported as the oldest living person in Machida City, Tokyo.

Ai Shinohara was born on 4 January 1913 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

She got married during her early 20s but her first husband succumbed to illness just before she gave birth to their first daughter. Around 25 years old, she married for the second time after meeting Kamenosuke Shinohara who was a Doctor of Medicine and pharmacy.

By 1951, Mrs. Shinohara founded Shinotest Laboratory that pioneered in commercializing clinical test kits invented by her husband. In November 1959, Mr. Kamenosuke was acknowledged for his invention of a simple reagent and was honored with the Medal with Purple Ribbon by Emperor Shōwa.

In September 2023, aged 110.
(Source: Courtesy of Machida City)

She underwent a medical treatment for approximately six months after experiencing a life-threatening anaphylactic shock due to medication. Fortunately, she made a full recovery and still able to raise six children despite all of her responsibilities. Mrs. Shinohara retired from the company at 83 years old and then joined the Senior Chorus Choir in Yokohama.

She moved into a nursing home at the age of 107 years old. Her current residence is in Machida City, Tokyo, where she is the current oldest living person.

For more information, please visit Ai Shinohara’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is delighted to share that Tome Tanaka celebrated her 111^th birthday. She is a Japanese supercentenarian recognized as the oldest living person in Himeji City.

LongeviQuest sent flowers for Mrs. Tanaka’s 111^th Birthday party which was celebrated a day earlier on 27 October 2023. She is currently staying at a nursing home where her daughter visits her every day. Mrs. Tanaka has recently been snacking on pudding, soft cakes, and sweet potato cakes brought by her daughter.

Tome Tanaka was born on 28 October 1912 in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

Tome was married in her youth days, but she got re-married again in her late 30s. She gave birth to her daughter when she was 39 years old.

Tome Tanaka’s 111th Birthday Celebration

She worked in a match factory before opening a small bird store she got from her sister. After some time, she closed her store to take care of her grandchildren. Mrs. Tanaka also helped her daughter and son-in-law by sewing kimonos and undergarments.

LongeviQuest extends our warmest greetings of celebration for Mrs. Tome Tanaka’s 111th Birthday.

For more information, please visit Tome Tanaka’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Tome Tanaka at 110 years old. She is a Japanese supercentenarian recognized as the oldest living person in Himeji City.

Tome Tanaka was born on 28 October 1912 in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

After finishing elementary school, she went to work as a live-in babysitter in Osaka for several years. It was a common job for teenage girls at that time.

At some point in her youth, Tome had a failed marriage. In her late 30s, she got remarried for the second time. It was not until she was 39 years old that she gave birth to her daughter. Unfortunately, one month after her daughter was born, her husband fell ill and passed away. Mrs. Tanaka then decided to return to her parents’ home and work at a local match factory until she was 48 years old.

In September 2023, aged 110.
(Source: Courtesy of the family)

From age 48 until 65 years old, Tome Tanaka managed a small bird store she got from her sister. She only closed her shop when her grandchildren were born so that she could take care of them. Later on, she would help her daughter and son-in-law by offering her service in sewing kimonos and undergarments. She can sit in a traditional Japanese seiza position while sewing kimonos for hours until she was 100 years old.

Mrs. Tanaka moved into a nursing home when she was 106 years old and got her hand fractured. After celebrating her 110^th birthday in 2022, she became the second supercentenarian with the same name.

She was also recognized as the current oldest living person in Himeji City where she is currently residing at.

For more information, please visit Tome Tanaka’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Fuyo Kishimoto of Japan at age 111. She was born in Hamasaka, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan on 20 December 1911. She was the only daughter of her parents. Fuyo Kishimoto was reported as the third-oldest living person in Kyoto Prefecture in September 2023.

In December 1940, Kishimoto remarried. Her husband was adopted as a son-in-law to inherit the Kishimoto family name. They had two daughters. According to her family, Fuyo Kishimoto was a hard worker who supported her family by doing manual labor alongside men in the mountains and at mine sites. Around 1956, Kishimoto became a live-in staff member at an inn in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, where she worked for about 16 years.

In December 2015, her 104th birthday. (Source: Courtesy of the family)

When Kishimoto was in her 60s, she moved to Kyoto Prefecture to live with her daughter’s family. She got a job as a cook at a school lunch center and worked there until she was in her mid-80s. Kishimoto walked to and from work every day without ever missing a day. According to her family, she worked tirelessly from morning until night from the end of World War II until she was in her mid-80s. She was a devout Buddhist and spent three hours each day reading sutras.

In December 2022, her 111th birthday. (Source: Courtesy of the family)

When Kishimoto was 99, she broke her femur. The next year, at the age of 100, she broke her other femur. This forced her to move into a nursing home. As a centenarian, she sometimes enjoyed McDonald’s hamburgers and McShakes, which her family would bring to her. When she was 103, her health became so bad that she could barely eat. Her doctor gave her a poor prognosis, but to everyone’s surprise, she made a full recovery. At 111, she can eat regular meals on her own, enjoys sugary coffee and sweet crackers, and lives independently with very little help from the nursing staff. Her family says that she has a gentle personality and is always grateful to her family and those around her.

For more information, please view Dobin’s Directory Profile here.