ChickenHawk
09-16-2003, 05:16 PM
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A happy 116th not to be snoozed at
By Shane Green
Japan Correspondent
Tokyo
September 17, 2003
In terms of a birthday celebration, it was an improvement on last year. Kamato Hongo, the world's oldest person, turned 116 yesterday and, unlike last year, stayed awake for the big day.
Mrs Hongo has an unusual sleeping pattern, snoozing for two days then awakening for two. Last year's birthday happened to coincide with a sleeping day.
But yesterday Mrs Hongo was wide awake to receive a steady stream of well-wishers at her home in Kagoshima, on Japan's southern island of Kyushu. "She has shown her smile to many visitors and has received many bouquets," her grandson, Takeshi Kurauchi, said yesterday.
In keeping with her remarkable achievement, Mrs Hongo has been receiving plenty of admiring attention in recent weeks.
Last month, more than 100 of her relatives gathered for a party that was the subject of a television show. On Monday - Japan's Respect for the Aged Day - there was a smaller affair, with about 20 family members.
The celebration was typical of Mrs Hongo's family, whose warmth and love appear to be a main factor in her longevity.
Mrs Hongo, who is bedridden, entertained her guests by singing a traditional folk song from her home town on the islands of Amamioshima, part of a group of islands south of Japan's main islands.
The people of Japan's smaller southern islands are renowned for their longevity. One of Mrs Hongo's neighbours made it to 120. Japan, with its declining birthrate, has a remarkable number of centenarians.
The Government said this week it expected the number to reach 20,561 by the end of the month - the first time the 20,000 mark has been exceeded. The overwhelming majority - 84.6 per cent - are women.
Researchers continue to look for explanations, from the gene pool to diet. Mrs Hongo favours green tea, herb wine and sugar candy.
Her birthday was also the day chosen by the country's oldest cabinet member, 81-year-old Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa, to announce he would step down because of poor health.
That is one scary-lookin' motherfucker...
But I gotta say, I'm surprised she's 116. If you ask me, she doesn't look a DAY over 110.
Source (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/16/1063625031296.html)
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This message was edited by ChickenHawk on 9-16-03 @ 9:26 PM
A happy 116th not to be snoozed at
By Shane Green
Japan Correspondent
Tokyo
September 17, 2003
In terms of a birthday celebration, it was an improvement on last year. Kamato Hongo, the world's oldest person, turned 116 yesterday and, unlike last year, stayed awake for the big day.
Mrs Hongo has an unusual sleeping pattern, snoozing for two days then awakening for two. Last year's birthday happened to coincide with a sleeping day.
But yesterday Mrs Hongo was wide awake to receive a steady stream of well-wishers at her home in Kagoshima, on Japan's southern island of Kyushu. "She has shown her smile to many visitors and has received many bouquets," her grandson, Takeshi Kurauchi, said yesterday.
In keeping with her remarkable achievement, Mrs Hongo has been receiving plenty of admiring attention in recent weeks.
Last month, more than 100 of her relatives gathered for a party that was the subject of a television show. On Monday - Japan's Respect for the Aged Day - there was a smaller affair, with about 20 family members.
The celebration was typical of Mrs Hongo's family, whose warmth and love appear to be a main factor in her longevity.
Mrs Hongo, who is bedridden, entertained her guests by singing a traditional folk song from her home town on the islands of Amamioshima, part of a group of islands south of Japan's main islands.
The people of Japan's smaller southern islands are renowned for their longevity. One of Mrs Hongo's neighbours made it to 120. Japan, with its declining birthrate, has a remarkable number of centenarians.
The Government said this week it expected the number to reach 20,561 by the end of the month - the first time the 20,000 mark has been exceeded. The overwhelming majority - 84.6 per cent - are women.
Researchers continue to look for explanations, from the gene pool to diet. Mrs Hongo favours green tea, herb wine and sugar candy.
Her birthday was also the day chosen by the country's oldest cabinet member, 81-year-old Finance Minister Masajuro Shiokawa, to announce he would step down because of poor health.
That is one scary-lookin' motherfucker...
But I gotta say, I'm surprised she's 116. If you ask me, she doesn't look a DAY over 110.
Source (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/16/1063625031296.html)
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This message was edited by ChickenHawk on 9-16-03 @ 9:26 PM