Sawa Muraji, the oldest living person in Shiga Prefecture, celebrated her 111th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Sawa Muraji (村治サワ), the oldest living person in Shiga Prefecture, has celebrated her 111th birthday on 5 March 2026 in Katata, Ōtsu City (大津市堅田). Sawa Muraji was born in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, on 5 March 1915 (Taishō 4). When she was an elemantary school student, she walked two hours round trip to and from the school every day. In January 2025, following the death of 110-year-old Fumi Nakamura (中村フミ) of Yasu City (野洲市), she became the oldest living person in Shiga Prefecture. On 5 March 2025, she celebrated her 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. On 15 September 2025, Governor Mikazuki (三日月) and Ōtsu City Mayor Satō (佐藤)…
Sister Rosario Soto, the oldest living nun in Europe, celebrated her 112th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Sister Rosario Soto, the oldest living nun in Spain and in Europe, has celebrated her 112th birthday on 3 March 2026 in Santander, Cantabria. Rosario Soto was born in Gijon, Asturias, Spain on 3 March 1914. She was the third of four children. Rosario Soto recalls having several relatives who were priests and nuns. In particular, she had an uncle who was a priest from Vallaloid and lived to be 107. Her vocation came at the age of 26. During this time, she lived between Oviedo and Bilbao and completed her postulancy and novitiate at Loyola and Azpeitia in the spirituality of Saint Ignatius. She later trained as…
Virgilio Dávalos Rey, the oldest living person in Paraguay, dies at 111
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is sadden to reported that Mr. Virgilio Dávalos Rey, the oldest living man and theoldest living person in Paraguay, sadly passed away in Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazu Department on 28 February 2026 at the final age of 111 years and 143 days. Virgilio Dávalos Rey was born in Placido, Coronel Oviedo, Caaguazu Department, Paraguay, on 8 October 1914. He’s one of the survivors in the Chaco War (1932–1935). He married Teresa López de Dávalos, with whom he had six daughters: Tomasa, Nimia, Francisca, Apolonia, Dominga, and Sara. In October 2014, he celebrated his 100th birthday and became a centenarian. On 22 July 2022, following the death of 109-year-old Basilio Gonzalez Benitez of Itapua Department,…
Bruno Kant, the oldest living man in Germany, celebrated his 110th birthday
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is pleased to announce that Mr. Bruno Kant, the oldest living man in Germany, has celebrated his 110th birthday on 26 February 2026 in Eichenzell, Hesse. Bruno Kant was born in Werblin, Saxony, Germany, on 26 Febuary 1916. His family fled during the first world war which forced them to leave their home. During the second world war, Kant was drafted into the Wehrmacht and fought in the invasion of the Soviet Union and was injured, so that he was brought back to Germany. After his recovery, he was send back to the Eastern Front. He later came back to Germany in 1948 after 3…
Takeko Miyazawa, the oldest living person in Nagano Prefecture, dies at 112
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is sadden to reported that Mrs. Takeko Miyazawa (宮澤たけ子), the oldest living person in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, sadly passed away of natural causes in Tazawa, Aoki Village, Chiisagata County (小県郡青木村田沢) on 23 February 2026 at the final age of 112 years and 239 days. Takeko Miyazawa was born in Aoki Village, Chiisagata County, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, on 29 June 1913 (Taishō 2). She lost her husband during the Pacific War and worked for a lumber company until she was in her 60s. She lived with her eldest daughter, Tomiko (十三子, aged 82 as of September 2025), at her home. She also enjoyed drinking tea with her neighbors. In Takeko’s semi-supercentenarian years, she suffered…