https://longeviquest.com/2026/09/chitose-awata-113-happy-life/

“My Whole Life Has Been a Happy One”: Japan’s 113-Year-Old Chitose Awata (粟田千年)

Today, 15 September, Japan marks “Senior Citizens’ Day” (Rōjin no Hi), a day designated to deepen public understanding of older people and raise awareness of their welfare.

According to figures released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), the number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677. Of these, 94,298 are women and 13,379 are men.

The day comes ahead of “Respect for the Aged Day” (Keirō no Hi) on 21 September, a national holiday dedicated to honouring older people for their contributions to society and celebrating their longevity.

Ahead of Respect for the Aged Day, LongeviQuest visited Chitose Awata (粟田千年), on 8 September to celebrate her longevity. She is the oldest living person in Yamaguchi Prefecture and one of Japan’s 10 oldest living people.

Mrs. Chitose Awata (粟田千年), 113, and LongeviQuest’s Yumi Yamamoto (山本優美) with a plaque recognising her as the oldest living person in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

Awata, who lives at the Hiyoshidai care facility in Yamaguchi City, celebrated her 113th birthday on 20 August. She welcomed us with a gentle smile. Speaking quietly and slowly, she returned again and again to the values that have guided her throughout her 113 years of life.

The Way She Has Lived

“I think it all comes down to one thing: being majime (真面目).”

When asked about the secret to her longevity, Awata answered simply: living a majime life.

Born into a farming family in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Awata recalled that her parents were majime people as well. From childhood, she said, she had lived with the belief that she should never cut corners, but simply do what needed to be done.

At school, Awata served as class leader for many years. Yet she recalled, “I never liked acting as though I was better than others.”

She also studied not because anyone told her she had to, but because she naturally found herself interested in learning.

Mrs. Chitose Awata (粟田千年) receives a plaque from LongeviQuest recognising her as the oldest living person in Yamaguchi Prefecture.

As a member of a farming family, she worked hard in agriculture, and as a child she also practised kanpu masatsu, a traditional Japanese health practice that involves rubbing the body with a dry towel.

When asked what she had done to take care of her health, Awata once again spoke not of any particular habit, but of the way she had lived each day.

“I am a realist. I think what matters is living each day with a majime (真面目) attitude.”

Happiness, Shared with Everyone

Yet as Awata-san looked back over her 113 years, there was another word she returned to just as often as majime (真面目).

Happiness.

“I’ve never felt that my life was miserable. I’ve always enjoyed myself. People used to say, ‘Awata-san, you’re always smiling.’ I have always considered myself happy.”

Mrs. Chitose Awata (粟田千年) smiles at a member of the care facility staff during LongeviQuest’s visit.

And of her life as a whole, she said:

“I think I have been happy. My whole life has been a happy one. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

But for Awata-san, that happiness is not something to keep to herself.

When we told her that, even at 113, she continues to give strength and inspiration to many people around the world, she laughed warmly before saying:

“When something is good, I want to share it with everyone. Being happy all by yourself isn’t what happiness is about. What matters is for everyone to be happy.”

Mrs. Chitose Awata (粟田千年), 113, with her daughter, Mrs. Nobuko Kondo (近藤伸子), and LongeviQuest’s Yumi Yamamoto (山本優美).

A little later, she returned to the thought once more.

“It’s no good for only yourself to be happy. I want to live in a way that helps everyone be happy. It’s not easy to do, though.”

Mrs. Chitose Awata (粟田千年), 113, with her daughter, Mrs. Nobuko Kondo (近藤伸子), and LongeviQuest’s Yumi Yamamoto (山本優美).

The name Chitose (千年) was given to her by her father 113 years ago. During our visit, when we showed her her name written in Japanese, she reflected on the name her father had chosen for her.

“It’s a good name,” she said.

“I don’t know exactly what my parents meant when they chose it, but I think my way of thinking and my name suit each other very well.”

At 113, Chitose Awata (粟田千年) looks back on her life and says simply, “My whole life has been a happy one.”

As it was time for us to say goodbye, we told her, “Let’s celebrate together again next year.”

“Yes,” she replied, before adding:

“Yes, let’s all do our best! (はい、みんながんばりましょうね！)”

Afterwards, I shook hands with Awata-san. Her handshake was strong, and it gave me energy too.