Okagi Hayashi Becomes the Oldest Person in Japan at 115 Years
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Tokyo, Jan 6 (NationPress) Okagi Hayashi, a remarkable 115-year-old woman in Toki, located in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan, is now the nation's oldest person following the passing of the previous record holder, who lived to be 116 years old, as confirmed by the Japanese government on Monday.
Hayashi assumed the title of the oldest living person in Japan after the death of Tomiko Itooka, who lived in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, and passed away from natural causes on December 29 at a specialized nursing facility for elderly individuals.
According to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Hayashi was born on September 2, 1909.
Itooka's death was officially confirmed by authorities on Saturday; she had been recognized as the world's oldest living person at the time of her passing.
She died at a nursing home in the city of Ashiya in western Japan, as reported by the local city government in Hyogo Prefecture last week.
Originally born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Itooka was the eldest of three siblings.
At her nursing home, she enjoyed her favorite lactic acid beverages and frequently expressed her gratitude to the staff, reported the Japanese daily The Mainichi on Saturday.
Mayor of Ashiya, Ryosuke Takashima, remarked, "Her long life provided us with immense courage and hope. I extend my heartfelt condolences."
Itooka became the oldest living person in Japan in December 2023 after the death of Fusa Tatsumi, a 116-year-old resident of Kashiwara, Osaka Prefecture.
Tatsumi was born on April 25, 1907, and spent her final days in a nursing home in Kashiwara.
She became the oldest living Japanese individual in April 2022 following the passing of a 119-year-old woman in Fukuoka.
Itooka was later recognized as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records in September 2024 after the death of the previous titleholder, Maria Branyas Morera, a 117-year-old from Olot, Catalonia, Spain.
Morera was born on March 4, 1907, according to the records.
The average life expectancy in Japan peaked in 2020, reaching 87.71 years for women and 81.56 years for men.
However, these averages saw a decline in 2021 and 2022 due to increased mortality from the coronavirus.
In 2023, the average life expectancy for Japanese citizens rose for the first time in three years, attributed to a decrease in COVID-19-related deaths, as indicated by government data.
The life expectancy for women in Japan stood at 87.14 years, a rise of 0.05 years from 2022, while for men it was 81.09 years, an increase of 0.04 years, as reported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in July 2024.
