KYODO NEWS - Jan 7, 2020 - 09:14 | Arts, All, Japan

[Supplied photo]

Mariya Takeuchi became Tuesday at the age of 64 years and 10 months the oldest singer to top Japan's Oricon weekly singles chart.

The singer-songwriter also broke another record with "Inochi no Uta (special edition)" -- returning to the top of the chart after the longest interval, having last held top spot 21 years and one month ago in November 1998, music information provider Oricon Inc. said.

Takeuchi sang "Inochi no Uta," which means "song of life," during her first-ever appearance on public broadcaster NHK's iconic "Kohaku" music show on Dec. 31 last year.

"I am very happy that (the song) has reached the hearts of many people," commented the singer, who made her debut as a recording artist in 1978.

The previous record for being the oldest person to top the singles chart was held by Keisuke Kuwata, who won it in January 2019 at age 62 years and 11 months.

[Supplied photo]