Japanese woman oldest ‘iApp-maker’

82-year-old develops app for the elderly

Fujisawa: When 82-yearold Masako Wakamiya first began working she still used an abacus for maths — today she is one of the world’s oldest iPhone app developers, a trailblazer in making smartphones accessible for the elderly.

Frustrated by the lack of interest from the tech industry in engaging older people, she taught herself to code and set about doing it herself.

The over 60s, she insists, need to actively search out new skills to stay nimble.

“As you age, you lose many things: your husband, your job, your hair, your eyesight. The minuses are quite numerous. But when you learn something new, whether it be programming or the piano, it is a plus, it’s motivating,” she says.

“Once you’ve achieved your professional life, you should return to school. In the era of the internet, if you stop learning, it has consequences for your daily life,” Wakamiya said during an interview.

She became interested in computers in the 1990s when she retired from her job as a bank clerk.

It took her months to set up her first system, beginning with BBS messaging, a precursor to the internet, before building her skills on a Microsoft PC, the Apple’s Mac and iPhones. Wakamiya learned the basics of coding and developed ‘Hinadan’ one of Japan’s first dedicated app games for the over-60s — she is now in such demand that this year Apple invited her to participate at their Worldwide Developers Conference, where she was the oldest app creator to take part.

‘Hinadan’ — ‘the doll staircase’ — was inspired by the Hina Matsuri, a doll festival which takes place every March, where ornamental dolls representing the emperor, his family and guests are displayed in a specific arrangement.

In the app, users have to put them in the correct positions — a task which is harder than it sounds, requiring memorisation of the complex arrangements.

The app has been downloaded 42,000 times. Wakamiya plans to release English, Chinese and possibly French versions of the app before next year’s festival.

Masako Wakamiya became interested in computers in the 1990s after retiring from bank

Wakamiya learned coding and developed ‘Hinadan’, one of Japan’s first dedicated app games for the over-60s

Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook hailes her as a “source of inspiration”

Apple invited her to participate at their prestigious Worldwide Developers Conference, this year, and she was the oldest app creator