Japan’s Oldest Living Person Is a 114-Year-Old Former Doctor Who Carried the Olympic Torch

Published: August 5, 2025, 14:00 (U.S. Eastern Time)

Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old retired doctor from Nara Prefecture, has been officially recognized as Japan’s oldest living person following the recent passing of 114-year-old Miyoko Hiroyasu. Kagawa’s life journey, marked by medical service, wartime resilience, and a historic appearance in the Tokyo 2021 Olympic torch relay, reflects Japan’s reputation for exceptional longevity.

A Lifetime of Service: From Wartime Medicine to Community Healthcare

Shigeko Kagawa’s story spans over a century of Japanese history. Born in 1910, she graduated from medical school before the outbreak of World War II—a remarkable achievement for a woman in that era.

During the war, she served in a hospital in Osaka, providing medical care under challenging conditions. After the war, Kagawa took over her family’s clinic, where she practiced obstetrics and gynecology for several decades. She eventually retired at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of compassionate care and community service.

Her professional contributions made her not just a witness to history, but an active participant in it.

A Historic Torchbearer at Age 109

In 2021, at the age of 109, Kagawa captured international attention when she joined the Tokyo Olympic torch relay, becoming one of the oldest torchbearers in Olympic history.

Her participation symbolized not only the endurance of the human spirit but also Japan’s cultural reverence for its elders. The moment highlighted how senior citizens in Japan are often celebrated for their contributions and resilience, rather than sidelined due to age.

Longevity Without Extremes: A Balanced Routine

Despite her age, Kagawa is not following any extreme health regimen or fad diet. According to a recent interview with her family by MBS News, she attributes her long life to maintaining a simple but consistent daily routine.

She goes to bed and wakes up at regular times and eats three proper meals a day in small portions. Her family emphasized that she doesn’t do anything extraordinary—just lives with balance and discipline.

This reflects a broader trend seen among many of Japan’s centenarians, whose lifestyles often include modest diets, physical activity, strong social ties, and stable routines rather than any secret formula.

Remembering Miyoko Hiroyasu, Her Predecessor

Kagawa succeeds Miyoko Hiroyasu, who held the title of Japan’s oldest living person until her recent death at 114. Born in 1911, Hiroyasu studied art in Tokyo, later teaching in Hiroshima Prefecture. She was also a mother to three children.

Even in her later years, Hiroyasu maintained an intellectually active lifestyle. Living in a nursing home in Oita Prefecture, she regularly read newspapers, sketched, and enjoyed card games.

On her 113th birthday, she shared a simple message: “I am grateful to be healthy.” Her passing marked the end of a life well-lived and contributed to the nation’s deep respect for its elderly population.

Japan’s Aging Population Continues to Set Global Records

Japan is well known for having one of the highest life expectancies in the world. The country’s aging population continues to grow despite an overall population decline.

As of September 1, 2024, there were 36 million people aged 65 or older in Japan, accounting for 29% of the total population, according to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. This is the highest percentage of elderly citizens in any country globally.

Even more notably, 10% of Japan’s population is now aged 80 or older, and there are currently 95,119 centenarians—people aged 100 or more—living across the country.

These statistics point to a rapidly aging society that is reshaping national policies on healthcare, pensions, and social infrastructure. They also underscore the importance of community support and senior care systems that can accommodate this demographic shift.

The Global Significance of Japan’s Longevity Trends

Japan’s longevity statistics are often studied by researchers, healthcare experts, and policymakers worldwide. The nation’s centenarians are seen as models for healthy aging, and studies often point to a combination of factors contributing to their longevity:

• A diet rich in vegetables, fish, and fermented foods
• Universal healthcare access
• Strong community ties and family support
• A sense of purpose, even in later years
• Low levels of obesity and chronic disease

Shigeko Kagawa embodies many of these traits, yet her life also shows that simple habits—consistency, moderate eating, and staying active—can be powerful over time.

Celebrating a Life Still in Progress

While it is natural to reflect on Kagawa’s long life in historical terms, she remains an active and dignified presence in her community. Her participation in the Olympic torch relay and her decades-long medical service continue to inspire younger generations in Japan and beyond.

Her life is a reminder that aging can be not just about survival, but also about continued purpose and presence.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Longevity and Purpose

As Japan continues to redefine aging in the 21st century, individuals like Shigeko Kagawa stand as powerful symbols of what it means to live a long, meaningful life. Her story highlights not just biological endurance, but a life built on routine, service, and resilience.

In a country where more than 95,000 people are over 100 years old, Kagawa remains a standout figure—not only for her age, but for the remarkable way she has lived.

Source: AP News  – Japan’s oldest person is a 114-year-old retired doctor who carried an Olympic torch in 2021

The post Japan’s Oldest Living Person Is a 114-Year-Old Doctor and Olympic Torchbearer appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The online nursing community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of Hailey Okula, a beloved ER nurse and influencer known to her 425,000 Instagram followers as “Nurse Hailey.” She passed away on March 29 due to complications from childbirth shortly after giving birth to her first child.

Hailey and her husband, Matthew Okula, welcomed their son Crew via IVF—a journey Hailey had shared openly with her followers. Just minutes after delivering their baby via C-section, Hailey went into cardiac arrest.

In an interview with Fox 11 Los Angeles, Matt revealed the cause: an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)—a rare and unpredictable complication that can happen during childbirth.

“There’s no treatment. There’s no way to diagnose it,” Matt said. “It’s just so sad to think that other people have to go through what I’m going through right now.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, AFE occurs when amniotic fluid or fetal material enters the mother’s bloodstream, triggering a severe reaction. It’s a leading cause of peripartum heart attacks and one of the most common causes of maternal death during childbirth. It develops rapidly and is often fatal.

Healthline reports that while rare, AFE has an 83% survival rate, though many cases are not caught in time.

On April 1, Matthew posted a tribute to Hailey on her Instagram account, sharing memories from their IVF journey, ultrasound scans, and the moment they welcomed baby Crew.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the devastating news of the unexpected passing of my beautiful wife, Hailey Marie Okula, due to complications from childbirth,” Matt wrote.

“Hailey was more than I could have ever dreamed of in a wife and partner… She was my everything.”

Hailey was known for her vibrant presence both in hospitals and online. In 2019, she launched the RN New Grads program—an initiative providing education, career guidance, and support for newly graduated nurses. She used her platform to empower healthcare workers, especially those just starting out.

“She was gorgeous, smart, hardworking, passionate, trustworthy, and above all else, unbelievably loyal,” Matthew added. “For nearly 13 years, she stood by my side, loving me endlessly—even when I felt undeserving.”

Hailey had shared the joyful news of her pregnancy on September 17, 2024, after nearly two years of battling infertility. She documented the highs and lows of IVF and pregnancy with honesty and hope, often posting updates with Matt, who is a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

Their dream of becoming parents finally came true—only to be met with unimaginable loss.

A GoFundMe page was launched to support Matt and baby Crew as they begin a new life without Hailey. The fundraiser has already gathered over $250,000 in donations as of April 3.

“On what should have been the happiest day of their lives, Firefighter Matt Okula experienced the unimaginable,” the page reads. “They faced every challenge together, determined to build the family they dreamed of. But in an instant, that dream was shattered.”

The post emphasizes Matt’s selflessness and strength, calling on the community to support a man who has spent his life protecting others.

As tributes continue to pour in, Hailey’s legacy as a nurse, mentor, influencer, wife, and mother lives on in the lives she touched—and in the son she brought into the world.

Our hearts go out to Matt, baby Crew, and all who loved Hailey.

Source: People – Nursing Influencer Hailey Okula’s Cause of Death Revealed After She Dies Due to ‘Complications from Childbirth’ of First Baby

The post Nurse Hailey Dies After Childbirth Complication, Husband Shares Heartbreaking Tribute appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.