olena
09-16-2002, 03:16 PM
TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese woman said to be the world's oldest person turned 115 on Monday.
But Kamato Hongo, who lives in the southwestern city of Kagoshima, failed to stay awake for her big day.
"She has been in a deep sleep since 2 a.m. this morning, maybe because she got excited after seeing many visitors yesterday, on Respect for the Aged Day," the Kyodo news agency quoted daughter Shizue Kurauchi, 78, as saying.
Hongo, born in 1887, now sticks to a unique cycle of staying awake for two straight days and then sleeping for two days.
Although she can no longer walk without help, Hongo enjoys singing and "dancing" with her hands, Kyodo said.
Japan is also home to the world's oldest male, Yukichi Chuganji, a 113-year-old native of ***uoka prefecture.
Both ***uoka and Kagoshima are located on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island.
But Kamato Hongo, who lives in the southwestern city of Kagoshima, failed to stay awake for her big day.
"She has been in a deep sleep since 2 a.m. this morning, maybe because she got excited after seeing many visitors yesterday, on Respect for the Aged Day," the Kyodo news agency quoted daughter Shizue Kurauchi, 78, as saying.
Hongo, born in 1887, now sticks to a unique cycle of staying awake for two straight days and then sleeping for two days.
Although she can no longer walk without help, Hongo enjoys singing and "dancing" with her hands, Kyodo said.
Japan is also home to the world's oldest male, Yukichi Chuganji, a 113-year-old native of ***uoka prefecture.
Both ***uoka and Kagoshima are located on Kyushu, Japan's southernmost main island.