World’s oldest person, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, dies at 116

Tomiko Itooka, 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.

Itooka, who had four children and five grandchildren, passed away on December 29 at a nursing home where she had been living since 2019. She was born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, just months before the Ford Model T was launched in the United States.

Following the death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera at age 117 in August 2024, Itooka was recognized as the world’s oldest living person. “Ms. Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life,” Ashiya’s 27-year-old mayor Ryosuke Takashima said in a statement, expressing gratitude for her inspiring legacy.

One of three siblings, Itooka witnessed significant historical events, including world wars, pandemics, and major technological advancements.

In her youth, she enjoyed playing volleyball, while in later years, she favored bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese soft drink.

Japan is known for its high life expectancy, especially among women. However, the country faces a growing demographic challenge as its elderly population expands.

As of September, Japan had more than 95,000 centenarians, with women making up 88 percent of that number. Nearly one-third of Japan’s 124 million people are aged 65 or older, placing increasing pressure on healthcare and welfare systems.