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Japan Adds Oldest Woman to Oldest Man in Guinness
By wchung | 20 Jul, 2025
On Wednesday Misao Okawa, 114, was recognized as the world’s oldest woman by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Okawa joins fellow countryman Jiroemon Kimura, 115, as the age-record-holder for her gender. She will also become the same age as Kimura on March 5, the day of her birth in 1898 verified by the Gerontology Research Institute.
Osaka lives in an Osaka nursing home where she lunched on her favorite dish — mackerel sushi — before taking a nap in her wheelchair to refresh herself for the interview with a reporter from Mainichi Daily.
“Watch out for one’s health,” was Okawa’s response to a request for the secret of her longevity.
As for her diet, Okawa eats whatever she likes, said Tomohito Okada, manager of her nursing home.
Okawa was married in 1919 and had three children with her husband Yukio before he died at the age of 36. Okawa also has four grandchildren and six great grandchildren, including 2-month-old Hibiki Okawa who sat beside her during the interview.
Also present was Okawa’s 90-year-old son Hiroshi who thought he inherited some of his mothers’ genes but doubted he would match his mother’s longevity since family members on his father’s side didn’t always live so long.
As of September 2012 Japan had over 51,376 centenarians, more than any other nation except the United States which had 53,364 as of 2010. On a per-capita basis, however, Japan tops the world with 34.85 per 100,000 population, of which 87% are women. The longevity of its population is variously attributed to low-calorie, low-fat diets, the habit of taking relaxing hot baths in the evening, and a culture that values serenity and harmonious relations
The second highest rate of centenarians occurs in France with 27.01, followed by Canada (21.71), the UK (20.30), Australia (18.75), US (17.3), Sweden (15.8), Belgium (14.24) and Brazil (12.46). The rate for the world at large is only 4.51. The lowest rate among industrialized nations belongs to S. Korea — just 1.92 — despite the nation’s relative affluence and the population’s access to some of the world’s highest-quality medical care. The poor longevity is blamed on heavy drinking and smoking among men.
The US added 66% more centenarians between 1980 and 2010 while the total population only grew 36%. California has the highest total number at 5,921 but two dozen states have higher per capita rates, according to the US Census Bureau.
Japan's Misao Okawa was recognized Wednesday, February 27, 2013 as the world's oldest woman, just five days before her 115th birthday. On the right is her great grandson Hibiki Okawa, two months old.
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