Dr. Teru Kasamatsu, a 100-year-old physician in Japan, continues to treat patients while dispensing wisdom on how to live a long and healthy life.

Working three days a week at a family-owned hospital, Dr Kasamatsu says her secrets lie in a disciplined diet and keeping her mind exceptionally sharp.

According to a local publication, Dr Kasamatsu practises at Kasamatsu Hospital in Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture. The hospital holds deep history for her, having been founded in 1909.

She has been associated with the facility for nearly 80 years. Born in 1925, she chose medicine following her father's advice during high school.He encouraged her to learn a trade so she could always be self-reliant.

A Life Dedicated to Work

Dr. Kasamatsu graduated in 1948. She married a surgeon named Shigeru at the age of 24. When her husband took over the Kasamatsu Hospital, she began working there. She and her husband ran the facility while raising three children.

Dr Kasamatsu recalls extremely busy early days. She once saw as many as 120 patients, not counting long nights assisting in emergency surgeries.

She handled diversetasks, including examinations, writing prescriptions, and bookkeeping.

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At one point, she even studied and obtained a cooking license in her 30s to help the hospital.

The hospital is now headed by her son, Dr Satoshi, aged 68. Despite surviving a period of hospitalisation for cancer, Dr Kasamatsu continues to live energetically.

Her son notes that she is particularly skilled at creating an atmosphere where patients find it easy to open up.

The Blueprint for a Long Life

For those wondering about her longevity, Dr Kasamatsu points primarily to diet and mental activity. She maintains a strict regimen.

"Eat lots of vegetables, like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and okra. Eating vegetables helps keep blood sugar levels down, so it’s good," she told Yomiuri Shimbun.

Her diet focuses on reducing salt intake. She always makes sure to eat her vegetables first.

Mental exercise is also crucial. Her daily routine includes spending one to two hours on number puzzles. This practice helps in the prevention of dementia.

Furthermore, she reads medical literature to ensure she stays up to date. She has no plans to retire.

She also offers philosophical advice about reducing stress. She advises against dwelling on things that cannot be changed.

“Things have worked out so far, even without overthinking. I'll just take it easy,” she said, as reported by Wakayama Shimpo.

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Her commitment to mental health also includes cultural pursuits. After starting lessons with her husband at the age of 70, she continues to play the piano today. Before the pandemic, she enjoyed travelling with friends.

Japan’s Ageing Reality

Dr Kasamatsu's ongoing work highlights Japan’s reality as a nation of centenarians. According to research, as of September, the number of people aged 100 or older in Japan reached 99,763.

This marks a 55-year streak of increases, setting a record high. Women represent 88% of these nearly 100,000 centenarians.

Dr Kasamatsu's dedication to medicine puts her among a very select group. According to data from the end of 2022, there were about 340,000 practising physicians across the nation.

Of these, 86 doctors were aged 98 or older. Dr Kasamatsu, who lives alone next door to the hospital, was celebrated for her longevity in 2024 ahead of Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day. She still moves around without needing a supporting rod.