Having worked in the banking industry for over 43 years, Masako Wakamiya has always been a professional who considers age to be just a number. The last few decades have seen her turning into a teacher for the senior citizens of Japan, encouraging them to break into the digital world with the help of computers and gaming apps. At the age of 80, she created a smartphone app for seniors, she creates Excel art and speaks around the world. The gaming app developed by her, ‘Hinadan’ derives its name from the festival 'Hinamatsuri’ or doll festival, celebrated annually in Japan. The task of the game consists of a range of dolls which need to be placed accordingly on the shelf and indicates right and wrong with two different beeps. While many think it is a bore, this was a hit among the elderly. The app also helps her generation keep their minds sharp and helps learn new skills. Masako Wakamiya shares, “Twenty years ago, I became a promoter of the Mellow Club, a website for exchanges between seniors. Now I'm the vice chair. When I joined the club's predecessor, I received a welcome message, which said: 'Life will become more and more interesting when you are past 60. What you have accumulated in your mind until then will blossom. When you are past 70, you will have a fuller life”. That’s not all, she also caught Apple CEO, Tim Cook’s attention and had been invited to meet him in the U.S. to discuss how the app could run on all Apple devices. With the support of a few young minds, she now operates her app alongside Excel art tutorials for senior computer users. "I want to be creative. I have turned 84, and I feel I am more intelligent than before,” says Masako Wakamiya. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Good News Movement (@goodnews_movement) A user commented, “I love that! Go Masako!” Another user wrote, “Masako Wakamiya is an inspiration!” A third user commented, “You ROCK Mayakoba!! You’re amazing and most of all, you look fantastic for 81!!”
