Woman works at firm for 65 years in same position, triggers online debate: 'Hope to keep going on'

After receiving the Guinness World Records official certificate, Japan's Yasuko Tamaki said she was thankful to her workplace. 'All I did was doing what I'm expected to do for 90 years, so I don't know what to say! I am truly touched,' she said. (Image credit: Guinness World Records)

A 96-year-old Japanese office manager -- who has worked in the same position since 1956 and had even been certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s “oldest office manager” in 2020 -- has recently gone viral, reigniting debate on social media about longevity at work and career mobility.

Guinness World Records lists Yasuko Tamaki (born May 15, 1930) as the “oldest office manager” when she was aged 90 years and 174 days. Tamaki has worked for over 65 years at Sunco Industries, a specialty fastener trading firm in Osaka, and Guinness’s feature on her certification said she continued to work full-time.

A viral video of hers shows the then 91-year-old being honoured by her colleagues and bosses after she shows up at work.

UNUSUAL

Japanese Yasuco Tamaki worked at the same company in the same position from age 26 to 91, earning a Guinness World Record, with a daily routine from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM for 65 years. pic.twitter.com/98OiUpx5wh — RussiaNews 🇷🇺 (@mog_russEN) January 26, 2026

‘Retirement has never crossed her mind’

In Guinness’s profile, Tamaki is described as having no plans to retire and still working five days a week in 7.5-hour shifts at Sunco Industries. At the certificate presentation, she told colleagues to live with the mindset: “If you waste today, then there is no tomorrow."

According to a UPI report, Tamaki said her long tenure felt like “just an accumulation,” and that she wanted to do things that make the chairman, managers and staff happy -- describing that as her lifelong goal. When asked about retirement, she reportedly said: “Once a year ends, then there is another. So I hope to keep on going like that.”

What the job actually involves

Tamaki handles office accounts and calculations relating to salaries, bonuses and tax deductions, work that requires familiarity with spreadsheets and PC applications.

The Asahi Shimbun, which profiled her in early 2021, reported she is responsible for accounting and other clerical procedures in the general affairs department and is frequently asked to draft letters of appreciation or commendation for clients and staff.

It also described Tamaki’s presence as part “living history” for new employees, saying newcomers benefit from her briefings and that she has become a respected senior figure known for careful word choice.

Online reaction: admiration, unease, and questions about mobility

After her video went viral, reactions on social media have been split between admiration for her stamina and concern about what the record represents.

Some online comments amplified by news recaps questioned why a decades-long career appears to have stayed within the same job band, reading the milestone as evidence of limited advancement opportunities rather than a purely inspirational story.

"That's impressive dedication from Yasuko Tamaki, staying in the same role and company for 65 years straight. But honestly, this story raises more questions than admiration for me," said one X user. " It's one thing to love your job, but staying in exactly the same position for decades without promotions or changes suggests a rigid system where people get locked in place rather than growing or advancing." While the user lauded Tamaki's energy and commitment, he added that the story was more "a symptom of a problematic system than something purely inspirational".

Others pointed to Japan’s long-hours and loyalty norms, arguing that celebrating extreme tenure as a record risks romanticising overwork and blurring the line between purpose and pressure.

"65 years in the same chair, same hours, same company—that's not dedication, that's a life sentence disguised as a record," added another X user.

Asahi reported that in Japan, one of the world’s most rapidly ageing societies, the retirement age is 60. But Tamaki continued working under a one-year renewable contract arrangement — suggesting the company structured her continued employment around renewable terms rather than a standard permanent track.