Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognised as the world’s oldest person, passed away at the age of 116, city officials in Ashiya said on Saturday.
The southern city’s mayor confirmed that Itooka, mother to four children and grandmother to five, died on December 29 at her nursing home, where she had lived since 2019.
Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, a commercial centre near Ashiya, her birth preceded the launch of the Ford Model T in America by four months.
Following the death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera, aged 117, in August 2024, Itooka was acknowledged as the world’s oldest living person, AFP reported.
Ashiya’s 27-year-old mayor Ryosuke Takashima said, “Ms Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life.”
“We thank her for it,” Takashima added.
One of three siblings, Itooka witnessed numerous historical events, including world wars, pandemics, and technological advancements. During her school years, she participated in volleyball.
In her later years, she developed a fondness for bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese milky beverage, according to the mayor’s statement.
Japan’s women are known for their longevity, yet the nation faces significant demographic challenges. The growing elderly population has led to increased healthcare and welfare expenses, while the workforce continues to decrease.
Statistics from September reveal that Japan has over 95,000 centenarians, with women comprising 88 percent of this group.
The nation’s population of 124 million includes nearly one-third who are 65 years or older.
