World's Oldest Living Person Turns 115
Woman Enjoys Drinking Sake, Rice Wine
POSTED: Monday, September 16, 2002
UPDATED: 2:54 pm EDT September 16,
2002
The world's oldest person according to the 'Guinness Book of Records' turned 115 today.
Japan's Kamato Hongo's birthday happens to fall on the day the Japanese celebrate Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday.
Hongo became the world's oldest living person in March, after the death of a Michigan woman.
She's said to require constant care and is slightly hard of hearing, but is otherwise said to be in good health. She also enjoys an occasional sip of sake, the Japanese rice wine.
Hongo was born Sept. 16, 1887.
As of this month, Japan is home to nearly 18,000 people over the age of 100. That's four times higher than a decade ago.
If you wish Hongo a happy birthday, she might not be awake to hear you. Her family says she sleeps two days, then stays up for two days.
They plan to celebrate Hongo's birthday when she awakens.
Copyright 2007 by Internet Broadcasting Systems and Local6.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this
report. All rights reserved. This material
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.