World’s Oldest Person, Tomiko Itooka, Passes Away at 116
A Japanese woman, Tomiko Itooka, who was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest person, passed away at the age of 116.
Officials reported that she died peacefully in a nursing home in Ashiya, a city in Hyogo Prefecture. She held the title of the world’s oldest person after Maria Branyas Morera of Spain passed away in August 2024 at the age of 117.
Ashiya’s mayor, 27-year-old Ryosuke Takashima, expressed gratitude for Ms. Itooka’s remarkable life, stating that her longevity inspired courage and hope. “We thank her for it,” he said in his statement.
Born in May 1908, Ms. Itooka lived through significant events in history, including both World Wars, global pandemics, and many technological advancements.
Her birth year coincided with the introduction of the Ford Model T car in the United States. In September 2024, she was officially recognized as the world’s oldest person and received her Guinness World Records certificate during Respect for the Aged Day, a Japanese holiday that honors senior citizens.
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As a young student, Ms. Itooka enjoyed playing volleyball and even climbed Mount Ontake twice, which stands at 3,067 meters (10,062 feet).
She married at the age of 20 and had four children—two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she managed the office at her husband’s textile factory. After her husband passed away in 1979, she chose to live alone in Nara.
In her later years, she found joy in simple pleasures like eating bananas and drinking Calpis, a popular milky beverage in Japan.
She is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. A funeral service was held in her honor, attended by family and friends.
As of September, Japan had over 95,000 centenarians, with 88% being women.
Nearly one-third of Japan’s population of 124 million is aged 65 or older. Following Ms. Itooka’s passing, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, also 116, is believed to be the world’s oldest living person.
World’s Oldest Person, Tomiko Itooka, Passes Away at 116
