Okagi Hayashi | Gerontology Research Group

Full name: Okagi Hayashi (Japanese: 林おかぎ)
Lifespan: (02.09.1909 – 26.04.2025)
Age: 115 years, 236 days
Birthplace: Tsumagi (now Tsumagicho, Toki City), Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Last residence: Tsumagicho, Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Application date: 14.09.2019
Validation date: 09.02.2023
Validation source: MHLW Japan/Yu Li

Biography

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.

On 24 June 2019, following the death of 110-year-old Tsuyo Wada, she became the oldest living person in Gifu Prefecture.

Hayashi practiced calligraphy until she was in her 90s. She lived with her family in her home until she was 105.

On 2 September 2019, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. At the age of 112, she was still able to read newspapers and enjoyed playing puzzle games.

On 29 December 2024, following the death of 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka, she became the oldest living person in Japan. As of January 2025, she had 7 living children, 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Okagi Hayashi died of heart failure in Toki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan at 8:39 AM on 26 April 2025 at the age of 115 years, 236 days. At the time of her death, she was recognized as the third-oldest living person in the world and the last known Japanese person born in the 1900s decade.