Latest news with #NaraPrefecture
The Independent
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Japan's oldest person, aged 114, reveals the ‘greatest asset' of her long life
Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old retired physician from Nara Prefecture, has been confirmed as Japan 's oldest living person. Her new status follows the death of 114-year-old Miyoko Hiroyasu, according to Japan 's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Ms Kagawa graduated from medical school before World War II. She served at an Osaka hospital during the conflict and later ran her family's clinic as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, retiring at 86. Her remarkable life also saw her become one of the oldest Olympic torchbearers in history, participating in the Tokyo 2021 relay at 109. When asked about the secret to her longevity by TOS News in 2023, Ms Kagawa simply said: "I don't have any. I just play every day. My energy is my greatest asset. 'I go where I want, eat what I want and do what I want. I'm free and independent." Her predecessor as Japan 's oldest person led a similarly active life. Born in 1911, Ms Hiroyasu studied art in Tokyo, taught in Hiroshima Prefecture and raised three children. She died in a nursing home in Oita Prefecture, where she spent her days reading newspapers, sketching and playing card games. 'I am grateful to be healthy,' she said on her 113th birthday. Despite an overall population decline, Japan's elderly population continues to grow. As of 1 September 2024, a record 36 million people – 29 per cent of the population – were aged 65 or older, the highest proportion of seniors in the world. Those aged 80 and above now make up 10 per cent of the population, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. There are 95,119 centenarians across the country.
The Independent
04-08-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Japan's oldest person is a 114-year-old retired doctor who carried an Olympic torch in 2021
Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old retired physician from Nara Prefecture, has became Japan's oldest living person, following the death of 114-year-old Miyoko Hiroyasu, according to Japan 's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Kagawa, a symbol of Japan's extraordinary longevity, graduated from medical school before World War II, served at a hospital in Osaka during the war, and later ran her family's clinic as an obstetrician and gynecologist. She retired at 86. At 109, Kagawa became one of the oldest torchbearers in Olympic history during the Tokyo 2021 torch relay. 'I don't have any,' Kagawa told TOS News in 2023 when asked about the secret to her longevity. 'I just play every day. My energy is my greatest asset. I go where I want, eat what I want and do what I want. I'm free and independent.' Her predecessor as Japan's oldest person led a similarly active life. Born in 1911, Hiroyasu studied art in Tokyo, taught in Hiroshima Prefecture and raised three children. She died in a nursing home in Oita Prefecture, where she spent her days reading newspapers, sketching and playing card games. 'I am grateful to be healthy,' she said on her 113th birthday. Despite an overall population decline, Japan's elderly population continues to grow. As of September 1, 2024, a record 36 million people — 29% of the population — were aged 65 or older, the highest proportion of seniors in the world. Those aged 80 and above now make up 10% of the population, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. There are 95,119 centenarians across the country.
Washington Post
04-08-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
Japan's oldest person is a 114-year-old retired doctor who carried an Olympic torch in 2021
TOKYO — Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old retired physician from Nara Prefecture, has became Japan's oldest living person, following the death of 114-year-old Miyoko Hiroyasu, according to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Kagawa, a symbol of Japan's extraordinary longevity, graduated from medical school before World War II, served at a hospital in Osaka during the war, and later ran her family's clinic as an obstetrician and gynecologist. She retired at 86. At 109, Kagawa became one of the oldest torchbearers in Olympic history during the Tokyo 2021 torch relay. 'I don't have any,' Kagawa told TOS News in 2023 when asked about the secret to her longevity. 'I just play every day. My energy is my greatest asset. I go where I want, eat what I want and do what I want. I'm free and independent.' Her predecessor as Japan's oldest person led a similarly active life. Born in 1911, Hiroyasu studied art in Tokyo, taught in Hiroshima Prefecture and raised three children. She died in a nursing home in Oita Prefecture, where she spent her days reading newspapers, sketching and playing card games. 'I am grateful to be healthy,' she said on her 113th birthday. Despite an overall population decline, Japan's elderly population continues to grow. As of September 1, 2024, a record 36 million people — 29% of the population — were aged 65 or older, the highest proportion of seniors in the world. Those aged 80 and above now make up 10% of the population, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. There are 95,119 centenarians across the country.
NHK
15-07-2025
- NHK
Elderly woman in western Japan injured in bear attack
An elderly woman in Nara Prefecture, western Japan, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after she was attacked by a bear. Authorities say the woman in her 80s notified the emergency services shortly after 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday that she was attacked by a bear cub at her home in Gojo City. The woman suffered injuries to her face, and was transported to a hospital. She was living alone and told rescuers she was trying to hang her laundry when the bear appeared. Her home is in a sparsely populated mountainous area. Prefectural officials say this is the second bear attack resulting in injury this year in Nara. They are urging people to carry bells or other sound-making items when going into the mountains, and to avoid leaving raw garbage outdoors.
