Tomiko Itooka, the world’s oldest person, has passed away at the age of 116 in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Her death was confirmed by local officials, who stated that she passed peacefully at a nursing home.
Ashiya’s Mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, expressed the community’s gratitude for her life, saying, “Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life. We thank her for it.”
Born in May 1908, Ms Itooka’s life spanned over a century of remarkable historical and technological progress, from witnessing World War One to the advent of the Ford Model T. She was officially recognized as the world’s oldest person in September 2024, following the death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera at 117.
Her achievement was celebrated with the presentation of a Guinness World Records certificate during Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day in 2024, a national event honoring elderly citizens.
Ms Itooka led a vibrant life, excelling in volleyball during her youth and even climbing Mount Ontake twice. In her later years, she found joy in simple pleasures such as bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese soft drink.
At the age of 20, she married and had four children, balancing family life with managing the office of her husband’s textile factory during World War Two. After her husband’s death in 1979, she lived independently in Nara. She is survived by two of her children and five grandchildren.
Japan, renowned for its longevity, continues to set global records for centenarians. As of September 2024, the country recorded over 95,000 centenarians, with women accounting for 88% of the total.
Ms Itooka’s remarkable life serves as a testament to resilience, simplicity, and the power of hope, leaving an enduring legacy in her community and beyond.
