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News18
5 days ago
- Health
- News18
Shigeko Kagawa, At 114, Is Japan's Oldest Living Citizen. Read Her Secret To A Long Life
Last Updated: Shigeko Kagawa, a retired doctor, has become Japan's oldest living person at 114. Shigeko Kagawa, a retired doctor, has officially become Japan's oldest living person at the age of 114. The announcement was made by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, following the recent passing of Miyoko Hiroyasu, who was also 114. Kagawa has lived an inspiring life. In 2021, at the age of 109, she became one of the oldest people to carry the Olympic torch during the Tokyo Games relay. Her life as a doctor, dedication to her patients, and healthy lifestyle have made her a symbol of longevity in Japan. A Lifelong Commitment to Healthcare By profession, Kagawa was an obstetrician and gynaecologist. She graduated from medical school before World War II and worked in a hospital in Osaka during the war. After that, she took over her family's clinic and served her community with dedication for many years. She eventually retired at the age of 86. 'After the war, she took over her family's clinic and contributed to the local medical care as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. She used to have a telephone by her bedside every night and would rush to her patients' homes when called, early in the morning or late at night. Even after retiring, sometimes a former patient would approach her on the street, thanking her for saving the lives of their loved ones," according to LongeviQuest. Her family says Kagawa hasn't done anything unusual to stay healthy. She follows a fixed daily routine, eats three proper meals in small portions, and values rest and balance. Previously, when asked about her long life, Kagawa said, 'When I was a doctor, there were no cars like now, so I used to wear clogs and walk a lot when I went to see a doctor. Maybe that's why I'm strong and healthy." In 2023, she also told TOS News, '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." Kagawa's story follows that of Miyoko Hiroyasu, the former oldest living Japanese citizen. Hiroyasu was a teacher and artist who lived a quiet life in a nursing home in Oita Prefecture, spending her days reading, sketching, and playing cards. Like Kagawa, she credited her health to staying mentally and physically active well into old age. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Health
- Gulf Today
Meet 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. Associated Press
Mint
6 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Meet Shigeko Kagawa, 114-year-old retired physician becomes Japan's oldest living person after Miyoko Hiroyasu's death
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that a 114-year-old retired physician, Shigeko Kagawa, from the Nara Prefecture, or central Japan, has become the oldest living person in the Asian nation after the death of Miyoko Hiroyasu, who was also the same age before their demise, reported the news portal AP on Monday, 4 August 2025. Shigeko Kagawa is an obstetrician and gynaecologist by profession who also served in the Second World War as a physician at a hospital in Osaka right after graduating from medical school. After serving the people of the nation as a physician for a long time, Kagawa retired from her family's clinic at the age of 86, and still serves as a symbol of Japan's extraordinary longevity in terms of age. At the age of 109, she also became one of the oldest Olympic torchbearers in the history of the games during the Tokyo 2021 torch relay, reported the news agency. When a local news portal asked her about the secret of her long lifeline, Kagawa told TOS News in 2023 that, '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.' Before Kagawa took over the title of the oldest living person in Japan, Miyoko Hiroyasu held the title, who passed away at the young age of 114 years. She was born in the year 1911 and was a student of art in Tokyo's Hiroshima Prefecture. According to the news agency's report, Hiroyasu also successfully raised three children. Kagawa and Hiroyasu share one thing in common: their similarly active lifestyles. Hiroyasu passed away in a nursing home in the Oita Prefecture of Japan, where she spent her final days reading newspapers, playing card games, and sketching. 'I am grateful to be healthy,' said Hiroyasu on her 113th birthday, reported the news agency. Japan is facing a population crisis with its overall population dropped over the years, while the elderly population continues to rise in the nation. According to the agency report, as of 1 September 2024, Japan had a total population of 36 million people, out of which 29% were 65 or older, marking the highest population of senior citizens in the world. Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications mentioned that people 80 years of age or older now make up to 10% of the nation's population, which has more than 95,000 centenarians or people who are 100 years old or older, as per the news report.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Japan's oldest person is a 114-year-old retired doctor who carried an Olympic torch in 2021
TOKYO (AP) — 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.
6 days ago
- Health
Japan's oldest person is a 114-year-old retired doctor who carried an Olympic torch
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.
