Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman officially recognized as the world’s oldest person, has died at the age of 116.
The city of Ashiya, where she resided, announced her passing on Saturday.
According to a statement by Ashiya’s mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, Itooka passed away on December 29 at a nursing home where she had lived since 2019.
Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, a bustling commercial center near Ashiya, Itooka’s life spanned over a century of historical milestones. Her birth preceded the launch of the Ford Model T by four months.
She became the world’s oldest person in August 2024, following the death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera, who lived to be 117.
“Ms. Itooka inspired us with her long life, giving courage and hope to many. We are deeply grateful to her,” Mayor Takashima stated.
Itooka, one of three siblings, lived through two world wars, global pandemics, and remarkable technological advancements. In her later years, she enjoyed simple pleasures, such as eating bananas and drinking Calpis, a popular milky beverage in Japan.
Japan is known for its high life expectancy, especially among women. However, the country faces a growing demographic challenge as its aging population leads to rising healthcare and welfare costs, compounded by a shrinking workforce to support these needs.
