Abacus to coding: 82-year-old Masako Wakamiya is world's oldest app-developer
Aging is a new stage of opportunity and strength, American writer Betty Friedan said once. And she was right. Whoever thought 'senior citizens' represent only grumpy old people, didn't hear of Masako Wakamiya, world's oldest app-developer. At 82, she has created a free iOS game, 'Hinadan,' solely targeting the oldies of her country. Acknowledging her incredible feat, UN invited her to speak last month.
Her motive was to help her fellow senior-citizens remain engaged
Masako's global recognition doesn't end there. Last year in June, Apple CEO Tim Cook invited the Japanese to the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in California. In an exclusive chat with Cook, she explained, in her native tongue, why she developed the game in the first place. "Seniors tend to be depressed as they age. They found an app they can relate to," she said.
When techies refused her, she showed them who's boss!
So where did it all start? Masako started learning to write codes last year, after several techies refused her proposal to develop something to engage Japan's ever-growing population of senior citizens. Eventually, she developed the 20.9 MB game based on Japan's annual doll festival, 'Hina Matsuri.' It requires iOS 10.1 or above and is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Japan's Doll Festival, the inspiration behind Masako's app
Doll's Day or Girls' Day is celebrated on March-3 every year in Japan. Special step-altars, or 'hinadan,' are used to display a set of ornamental dolls representing the Emperor, Empress, attendants and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian period (A.D. 794-1185).
At 60, she started learning computers, programming
Initially, Masako's app was just in Japanese, but last year, she released it in English and simplified Chinese. Computers enticed Masako since 1990s, but programming proved difficult for her as she was used to the abacus while working as a clerk. However, she took up the challenge and started learning at 60, eventually picking up the functioning of Mac and iPhones.
Masako also learnt the piano at 75!
Masako's voracious appetite to learn helped her tide over the otherwise-unexciting life of an elderly. She learnt the piano at 75 and simultaneously joined a computer club for seniors, where she learnt to create Excel Art. The response to her app, which has been rated 5-stars and downloaded 50,000 times, surely indicates that in a youth-ruled arena, Masako is here to stay.
"Old people learning helps economy as well, not just them"
"Most old people have abandoned the idea of learning, but the fact that some are starting (again) is not only good for them but for the country's economy," said Masako, adding, "I am so busy everyday that I have no time to look for diseases."
