https://longeviquest.com/2025/04/okagi-hayashi-japans-oldest-living-person-passes-away-at-115/

Okagi Hayashi, Japan’s Oldest Living Person, Passes Away at 115

LongeviQuest is saddened to report the passing of Mrs. Okagi Hayashi (林おかぎ), who was the oldest living person in Japan and the third-oldest living person in the world. She passed away peacefully from natural causes at 8:39 a.m. on April 26, 2025, at the age of 115 years and 236 days.

Until mid-April, Mrs. Hayashi was able to eat independently. However, on April 17, she was hospitalized after a small amount of fluid was found in her lungs.
According to her granddaughter, more than 30 family members—including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren—gathered at the hospital to be by her side. Mrs. Hayashi quietly and peacefully passed away with a calm and contented expression after seeing the face of each family member, one by one.

During her lifetime, Mrs. Hayashi participated in a longevity research study conducted by a university medical faculty in Japan. Respecting the wishes she and her family had expressed, her body was donated to medical research after her passing, marking her final contribution to the advancement of longevity studies.

Mrs. Hayashi became the oldest living person in Japan following the passing of Tomiko Itooka (糸岡富子), who died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 115. At the time of her death, Mrs. Hayashi was recognized as the third-oldest living person in the world. She was also the last known Japanese person born in 1909 (Meiji 42).

Following Mrs. Hayashi’s passing, Mine Kondō (近藤ミネ) of Kōta, Aichi Prefecture, who is currently 114 years old, has become the oldest living person in Japan.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family during this difficult time and express our sincere gratitude to her son, granddaughter, and all her relatives who kindly shared her life story with us.

Biography

Okagi Hayashi was born on 2 September 1909 in the village of Tsumagi (now Tsumagicho, Toki City), Gifu Prefecture, Japan, as the only daughter of a grain wholesaler.

After completing elementary school, she enrolled at Nakatsu Girls’ High School, living away from home in a dormitory to pursue her education.

In her early twenties, she married an elementary school teacher who was adopted into the Hayashi family, allowing her to keep her maiden name. The couple initially lived in Hokkaido Prefecture, where their first son was born, before returning to Toki City to manage her family’s grain business. Together, they raised nine children.

From around mid-life, Mrs. Hayashi became increasingly conscious of her health. She regularly made fresh vegetable juices from produce grown in her garden and prepared meals centered around vegetables. She also enjoyed exercising with her husband and valued staying active.

Even after moving to a care home at the age of 105, she remained engaged in daily life. She attended calligraphy classes into her nineties and enjoyed occasional day trips with her family until around the age of 110.
At 112, she could still read newspapers and complete puzzles. At 115, although her waking hours had shortened, she continued to participate in meals and events from her wheelchair and maintained a strong appetite. In December 2024, she attended a Christmas party, wore a Santa hat, and enjoyed cake. She also looked forward to receiving postcards from her family and treasured them.

As of January 2025, Mrs. Hayashi was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Seven of her nine children were still living at that time.

Oh, one of my favourite SCs! 😣 

May she rest in peace.