Japan's Oldest Person at 114: Retired Doctor and Olympic Torchbearer

Shigeko Kagawa, a remarkable 114-year-old former physician from Nara Prefecture, has been officially recognized as Japan's oldest living person, following the passing of Miyoko Hiroyasu, who also lived to 114. Kagawa’s long life exemplifies Japan’s extraordinary longevity. She graduated from medical school before the onset of World War II, and during the war, she worked at a hospital in Osaka. After the war, she managed her family’s clinic as an obstetrician and gynecologist until her retirement at age 86.

Kagawa gained national attention when she participated as one of the oldest torchbearers during the Tokyo 2021 Olympic relay at age 109. Despite her age, she maintains a healthy lifestyle by sticking to a routine—going to bed and waking up at consistent times, and eating three well-portioned meals daily, without doing anything extraordinary.

Her predecessor, Miyoko Hiroyasu, born in 1911, also led an active life, working in art and raising three children. She spent her days reading, sketching, and playing cards at a nursing home.

Despite Japan’s declining birthrate and population decline, the country’s elderly population continues to grow, with over 36 million people aged 65 and older as of September 2024. These statistics include nearly 95,000 centenarians, reflecting Japan’s status as one of the countries with the highest longevity rates worldwide.

Kagawa’s story not only highlights her personal vitality but also symbolizes Japan’s broader demographic trends, emphasizing active aging and longevity.