[Japanese Side] World's Oldest 93-Year-Old Japanese General Affairs Manager "Asks Questions Freely Even to Colleagues in Their 20s"

2020 Guinness World Record Holder at Age 90 as General Affairs Manager
Joined When Using Abacus, Now Works with Excel... "Learning Is Enjoyable"

"How do I feel the changes of the times? I get excited every time."

How long can humans enjoy working happily? This week in Japan, the story of the world’s oldest active section chief at 93 years old attracted attention. The protagonist is Yasuko Tamaki, a section chief at the Japanese manufacturer Sanko Sangyo. She is a veteran with 67 years of continuous service, having been in charge only of accounting and general affairs since joining the company.

As times changed, the way of performing tasks rapidly evolved from abacus, typewriter, to computer, but in an interview with Mainichi Shimbun, she said all these changes are enjoyable and exciting, drawing even more attention.

Today, we share the joyful work story of Section Chief Tamaki, born in 1930.

Section Chief Tamaki Yasuko, who was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2020 as the "World's Oldest General Affairs Staff Member." (Photo by Kyodo News YouTube)

Section Chief Tamaki’s motto is "Banshi Tettei" (凡事徹底), meaning to thoroughly carry out even ordinary tasks. She works meticulously, often working overtime, and voluntarily cleans meeting rooms and break rooms after everyone else has left. Her colleagues say, "Tamaki is the person who locks the company door last when leaving."

Sanko Sangyo employs about 500 staff members, and Tamaki has consistently handled accounting and general affairs. She has served under three presidents including the company founder and is 11 years older than the current second-generation chairman. Because of this, she also plays a role in new employee training, conveying the company’s philosophy and values.

Tamaki’s passion for work originally stemmed from a sense of duty to "raise her younger siblings." She experienced the end of World War II at age 15, and shortly after, her father passed away, leaving her responsible for her weak mother and three younger siblings.

She joined the company in 1956 at age 25, when there were only 10 employees. When the general affairs department was newly established in 1970 as the company grew, she was appointed the first section chief.

At first, she used an abacus for accounting tasks, then calculators came along, and when she was 51, computers were introduced. Although she had to work with machines she had never seen before in her 50s, Tamaki actively learned how to use them, saying, "Mistakes that used to happen when calculating by hand actually decreased."

At age 60, the company requested her to use Excel, so she learned Excel as well. With company support and training, she became proficient in Excel. Tamaki emphasizes, "Enjoying change is essential for working long."

Manager Tamaki being interviewed in front of the monitor where he works. (Photo by Kyodo News YouTube)

With 67 years of continuous service, almost all employees are younger than her. However, Tamaki does not hesitate to ask questions even to colleagues in their 20s who are more than 70 years younger. She believes it is important not to speak informally to superiors just because they are younger, and not to bring up old stories unless asked.

Because of this attitude, when she was registered in the Guinness Book of Records in 2020 as the "world’s oldest general affairs staff member" at age 90, company people were surprised, saying, "Tamaki was 90 years old?"

Tamaki says, "I feel every day that I have grown more than yesterday," and her goal is to work actively until 100 years old.

Her unwavering passion and willingness to learn truly inspire many. Especially her philosophy of "not bringing up old stories unless asked" and "treating younger people according to their rank" shows a humility different from those who say "Back in my day." It seems that the wisdom gained from her experience and seniority is clearly reflected in her company life.

We hope Section Chief Tamaki continues to have a healthy and joyful work life in the future.