Yoshiko Miwa, at 110 years old, is the oldest living person of Japanese descent in the United States. Despite living through challenging times such as the Spanish flu, prohibition, Black Tuesday, World War II, and personal losses, she remains positive and encourages others to do the same. As part of the nisei generation sent to internment camps during World War II, she embodies the spirit of “gaman” which means enduring difficulties with patience and dignity. Miwa’s resilience and ability to persevere stem from the experiences of her generation who had much to endure.
Born in 1914 in Guadalupe, California to Japanese immigrants, Yoshiko Miwa grew up as the fifth of seven children. After her mother and infant brother passed away, her father struggled to take care of the family and placed her and her siblings in a children’s home founded by their parish. She went on to graduate from Santa Maria High School and the University of California, Berkeley before marrying Henry Miwa in 1939. During World War II, the couple and their families were sent to the Poston Internment Camp in Arizona, eventually relocating to Hawthorne, California after the war. Despite challenges finding jobs, her husband founded a plant nursery business and she obtained her nursing license.
Yoshiko Miwa has three sons, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She has always kept herself active both mentally and physically, engaging in various hobbies such as walking, reading, flower arranging, Japanese ink art, sewing, and more. Her favorite activity now is sleeping, but she remains healthy and engaged. Yoshiko Miwa wrote an autobiography detailing her experiences, travels, and childhood memories, including life on her family’s farm and time in the children’s home.
In terms of diet, Yoshiko Miwa loves noodles of all kinds, crediting her love for them back to her time at the children’s home. Her faith in Buddhism has been a source of strength and energy for her, particularly when she was taken in by the Guadalupe Buddhist Church after her mother’s death during the Spanish flu pandemic. She holds a deep sense of gratitude towards the church and the teachings she received there. Her family also plays an important role in her life, with regular reunions and support from her sons, grandchildren, and relatives.
Living in a care facility, Yoshiko Miwa maintains a positive outlook on life and attributes her long life to a combination of positive thinking, staying active, engaging in hobbies, and the support of her loved ones. Her advice for a long life is to not dwell on the negatives, but focus on the positive aspects instead. Despite the challenges she has faced throughout her lifetime, Yoshiko Miwa’s spirit and resilience shine through, serving as an inspiration to others.
