World's oldest person Tomiko Itooka dies aged 116

A Japanese woman, recognised arsenic the world's oldest idiosyncratic by Guinness World Records, has died aged 116.

Tomiko Itooka died successful a nursing location successful the metropolis of Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, according to officials.

She became the oldest idiosyncratic successful the satellite aft Spain's Maria Branyas Morera passed distant successful August 2024 astatine property 117.

"Ms Itooka gave america courageousness and anticipation done her agelong life," Ashiya's 27-year-old politician Ryosuke Takashima said successful a statement.

"We convey her for it."

Ms Itooka was calved successful May 1908 – six years earlier the First World War and the aforesaid twelvemonth that the Ford Model T car was launched successful the US.

She was verified arsenic the world's oldest idiosyncratic successful September 2024 and was presented with the authoritative GWR certificate connected the Respect for the Aged Day, which is simply a Japanese nationalist vacation celebrated annually to honour the country's aged citizens.

Ms Itooka, who was 1 of 3 siblings, lived done satellite wars and pandemics arsenic good arsenic technological breakthroughs.

As a student, she played volleyball and climbed the 3,067-metre (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice.

In her older age, she enjoyed bananas and Calpis, a milky brushed portion fashionable successful Japan, according to the mayor's statement.

She joined astatine 20, and had 2 daughters and 2 sons, according to Guinness.

During World War II she managed the bureau of her husband's textile factory. She lived unsocial successful Nara aft her hubby died successful 1979.

She is survived by 1 lad and 1 daughter, and 5 grandchildren. A ceremonial work was held with household and friends, according to officials.

As of September, Japan counted much than 95,000 radical who were 100 oregon older - 88% of whom were women.

Of the country's 124 cardinal people, astir a 3rd are 65 oregon older.

Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was calved 16 days aft Itooka and is 116, is present believed to beryllium the world's oldest person.