Okagi Hayashi, Japan’s second-oldest living person, celebrated her 115th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group is pleased to announce that Mrs. Okagi Hayashi, the oldest living person in Gifu Prefecture, and the second-oldest living person in Japan, celebrated her 115th birthday on 2 September 2024 in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Okagi Hayashi was born in the village of Tsumagi (now Tsumagicho, Toki City), Gifu Prefecture, Japan on 2 September 1909. Her father was a grain wholesaler. After graduating from elementary school, she entered Nakatsu Girls’ High School. At the same time she started school, she left her parents’ house and lived in a high school dormitory.
In her early 20s, Hayashi married an elementary school teacher. Her husband was adopted into the Hayashi family, so she never changed her maiden name. They lived in Hokkaido Prefecture until her first son was born, and then returned to Toki City where she took over her family’s grain wholesale business. The couple had nine children in total. She has been very cautious of her health since mid-life, drinking her homemade green juice every morning and exercising along with her husband. Until she was in her 80s, she enjoyed going on hot spring trips and gardening with her friends from school days.
Hayashi practiced calligraphy until she was in her 90s. She lived with her family in her home until she was 105.
On 24 June 2019, following the death of 110-year-old Tsuyo Wada, she became the oldest known living person in Gifu Prefecture.
On 2 September 2019, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. At the age of 111, she had eight living children, 22 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. At the age of 112, she was still able to read newspapers and enjoyed playing puzzle games.
On 26 April 2023, at the age of 113 years, 237 days, she surpassed the age of Hisa Arai (1904–2018) of 113 years, 236 days, becoming the oldest person ever in Gifu Prefecture.
As of her 115th birthday, 2 September 2024, she is the second-oldest living person in Japan, behind 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka.
