114-year-old Misao Okawa is the daughter of a kimono maker, recently received quite an exciting gift for her 115th birthday next week – recognition and a certificate from Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest woman.
Okawa lives in a nursing home in Osaka. Married in 1919, she and her husband Yukio (who died at the age of 36), had three children – two daughters and a son, with the addition of four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Okawa’s son, who is 90 years old, Hiroshi, said that he has inherited some of his mother’s genetics, but doubts he would be able to match her longevity.
When asked for her secret to longevity, she said it was to “watch out for one’s health”. The world’s oldest living person as recognized by Guiness is 155-year-old Jiroemon Kimura, who also lives in Japan.
According to reports by the government, Japan has the most centenarians in the world, with more than 51,000 people with 87% of them are women. (Source)
Apart from taking care of your health, there’s probably a lot more to longevity, especially in Japan. Why is it especially prominent for women? Could it be the food? Share your thoughts with us below in our comment section.
