Hide Hamabe
- Full name: Hide Hamabe [Japanese: 濵邊ヒデ]
- Lifespan: 03.12.1908 – 10.01.2023
- Age: 114 years, 38 days
- Birthplace: Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
- Last residence: Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
- Application date: 14.01.2020
- Validation date: 05.11.2022
- Validation source: MHLW, Japan/Yumi Yamamoto/Sachiko Hamabe/Yu Li
Biography
Hide Hamabe was born on December 3, 1908, in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.
During her high school years, she excelled academically and was particularly proficient in English. She had the opportunity to attend a national university in Nara Prefecture as a special student but declined for various reasons. Instead, she chose to marry Seizo Hamabe, a teacher at a Fisheries University, and lived in Tottori and Yamaguchi prefectures due to her husband’s work.
Following her husband’s passing in 1944, Hide Hamabe worked in a station shop, raised her four children, and ensured they all had the opportunity to attend university. After her children had completed their education, she returned to her hometown of Ebino, Miyazaki, in 1957. There, she ran a small shop and lived independently.
In her later years, around the age of 70, Hide Hamabe hiked the Ebino high plateau with her granddaughter, demonstrating her impressive leg strength and stamina. She also enjoyed playing the Japanese karuta game “Hyakunin Isshu” and even competed in its national tournament when she was around 90 years old.
Known for her intellectual curiosity, at the age of 110, Hide Hamabe was able to intuitively navigate a smartphone and perform basic operations.
At the age of 103, she moved into a nursing home.
In September 2019, she was recognized as the second-oldest known living person in Miyazaki Prefecture, following Tame Yamaguchi of Hyuga. After Tame Yamaguchi’s passing on September 6, 2020, Hide Hamabe became the oldest known living person in Miyazaki Prefecture.
In September 2022, Hide Hamabe received a congratulatory letter from the prefecture through the nursing home staff. At that time, her hearing had deteriorated, but she could engage in conversation if spoken to loudly. She was known for her positive and cheerful personality, although her appetite had decreased since around November 2022.
Hide Hamabe died in Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan on January 10, 2023 at the age 114 years, 38 days. Following her death, then-109-year-old Yone Kawabata [Japanese: 川畠ヨ子] of Miyakonojo City became the oldest known living person in Miyazaki Prefecture.
At the time of her death, she was the fourth-oldest validated living person in Japan, after Fusa Tatsumi, Tomiko Itooka, and Yasue Okai.
Longevity Titles
- Oldest living person in Miyazaki Prefecture (06.09.2020 – 10.01.2023)
Validation
Hide Hamabe’s age was verified by Japan’s MHLW, Yumi Yamamoto, Sachiko Hamabe, and Yu Li, and validated by the GRG on November 5, 2022.
Hide Hamabe on her 113th birthday in 2021.
Hide Hamabe in her 70s, with the chrysanthemum flowers that she grew.
Hide Hamabe on her 100th birthday, with her son.
Hide Hamabe at age 105.
Hide Hamabe (seated) at her 106th birthday celebration in 2014
Hide Hamabe (aged 111) in September 2020
Hide Hamabe (aged 111) in September 2020
Hide Hamabe (aged 112) in September 2021
Hide Hamabe (aged 113) in September 2022
Hide Hamabe reading wishes from the Gerontology Research Group on her 114th birthday.
Photo courtesy of Ebino City and Gerontology Wiki.
