Three days a week, Dr. Teru Kasamatsu arrives at Kasamatsu Hospital in Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture, to see outpatients, primarily familiar faces.
"Your blood pressure is a little high," the silver-haired doctor says with a smile as she reviews a patient's chart. "Please remember to bring your medical record next time."
This 100-year-old doctor has been practicing medicine for almost 80 years. Her second son, 68-year-old Satoshi, is the hospital director, and her daughter-in-law, 61-year-old Hitomi, is the head nurse. Both have immense faith in her abilities.
"She's very skilled at creating a comfortable atmosphere for conversation, which inspires trust in her patients," Satoshi says. "She addresses even the smallest concerns, helping to alleviate their worries."
According to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, as of the end of 2022, Japan had 340,000 doctors, 86 of whom were over 98 years old.
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Kasamatsu (center) works at Kasamatsu Hospital in Kainan, Wakayama, on 5/9. Photo: Yomiuri |
Kasamatsu (center) works at Kasamatsu Hospital in Kainan, Wakayama, on 5/9. Photo: Yomiuri
Born in 1925, Kasamatsu decided to pursue a career in medicine during high school. She studied diligently and became a doctor in 1948, marrying orthopedic surgeon Shigeru a year later. When Shigeru took over Kasamatsu Hospital from his father, she began working alongside him.
Together, the couple managed the hospital and raised three children. At times, she treated up to 120 patients a day. Because the hospital often admitted emergency patients, she frequently worked through the night performing surgeries.
Shigeru passed away in 2012 at the age of 91. Kasamatsu now lives alone in her home next to the hospital. Despite having battled cancer and reaching 100 years of age, she can walk unaided without a cane and remains both physically and mentally healthy.
Kasamatsu attributes her longevity and good health to her diet. "Eat plenty of vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and okra. Eating vegetables helps lower blood sugar, which is very beneficial," she says.
She also makes it a habit to solve math puzzles for two hours each day to keep her mind sharp and prevent dementia. Her hobby is playing the piano, which she started learning at 70. She also strives to stay updated on medical knowledge by reading whenever she has free time and has no plans to retire. "I don't feel weak or tired at all," she says.
Duc Trung (According to Yomiuri, Asahi)
