April 29, 2025 | 04:41 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Okagi Hayashi, officially recorded as the oldest living person in Japan, passed away on April 26, 2025. She died of heart failure at a hospital in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture. The news was confirmed by officials from Japan’s Ministry of Health and members of her family.
According to Kyodo News, Hayashi had only recently been acknowledged as Japan’s oldest person in December 2024, following the death of Tomiko Itooka, who lived to the age of 116.
Who Was Okagi Hayashi?
Okagi Hayashi was born on September 2, 1909, in Tsumagi Village (now part of Toki City, Gifu Prefecture).
She grew up in a family of wholesale grain merchants. As cited by LongeviQuest, after finishing elementary school, Hayashi went on to study at Nakatsu Girls’ High School. In pursuit of her education, she moved away from home to live in the school dormitory, a rare move for young women in early 20th-century Japan.
In her twenties, Hayashi married a primary school teacher. Her husband was later adopted into the Hayashi family, which allowed her to retain her family name after marriage.
Several years after getting married, the couple returned to Toki in Gifu Prefecture, where Hayashi took over the family’s wholesale grain business. Together, they raised nine children while running the business.
From middle age, Hayashi became very health-conscious. She began drinking homemade green juice every morning, exercising regularly with her husband, and maintaining an active lifestyle. Even in her eighties, she still enjoyed visiting hot springs and gardening with her childhood friends.
Hayashi also kept her mind sharp through calligraphy, which she practiced well into her nineties. By the time she turned 115, her active hours had lessened, and she began using a wheelchair.
Nonetheless, she continued to participate in communal meals and social gatherings at her residence.
Her appetite remained strong, and she could still feed herself using a spoon. Hayashi was also widely known for her deep appreciation for family communication.
After Tsuyo Wada of Guj passed away on June 24, 2019, Okagi Hayashi was named the oldest person in Gifu Prefecture at the age of 109 years and 295 days. On April 27, 2023, she became the oldest resident ever recorded in Gifu Prefecture, surpassing the previous record of 113 years and 237 days held by Hisa Arai (1904-2018).
Editor’s Choice: Japan Sees Growing Interests for Indonesian Migrant Workers
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Tokyo Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go
18 jam lalu
Looking for practical Tokyo travel tips? Here are some things you should know before going to Tokyo to make the most of your adventure.
10 Most Beautiful Places in Asia, Indonesia's Komodo National Park on Top
20 jam lalu
Time Out unveils the most beautiful places in Asia, with Indonesia's Komodo National Park topping the list, showcasing the region's true beauty.
8 Must-Savor Japanese Street Foods
1 hari lalu
Beyond the well-established fame of sushi, ramen, and sashimi, Japan also has a diverse array of popular street foods. Here are 8 of them.
Indonesia and Japan Explore Deeper Military Collaboration
3 hari lalu
Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin welcomed the Chief of Staff of Japan's Joint Self-Defense Forces General Yoshida Yoshihide in Jakarta.
NASA's Oldest Astronaut Returns to Earth on His 70th Birthday
6 hari lalu
NASA's astronaut Don Pettit's return marked the end of a seven-month mission aboard the ISS alongside two Russian cosmonauts.
The Oldest Temples in the World Still in Use Today
6 hari lalu
An exploration of some of the oldest temples in the world, shedding light on the lives of ancient civilizations and their continued relevance.
Japan Interested in Assisting Indonesia's Housing Development, Official Says
7 hari lalu
Deputy Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Fahri Hamzah, claimed that Japan is keen on being involved in and assisting in the development of homes in Indonesia.
Japan Sees Growing Interests for Indonesian Migrant Workers
7 hari lalu
Bank Indonesia records a growing interest of the Japanese society in Indonesian migrant workers. Which sectors are in demand?
8 Best Asian Countries to Visit This Summer for a Warm and Breezy Getaway
7 hari lalu
These best Asian countries to visit are more than just places on a map, they are experiences waiting to be lived and memories waiting to be made.
Why This Japanese City Is Using 'Ninjas' to Encourage Tourists to Follow Local Rules
7 hari lalu
Otaru, Japan, is using "ninjas" to remind tourists of local etiquette and address issues caused by overtourism, like blocking roads and trespassing.
