The world’s oldest person, Tomiko Itooka of Japan, passed away at the age of 116, the city of Ashiya announced on Saturday.
Itooka, a mother of four and grandmother of five, died on December 29 at a nursing home where she had been living since 2019, according to a statement from Ashiya’s mayor.
Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, near Ashiya, Itooka witnessed more than a century of global transformations. Her birth came just months before the iconic Ford Model T was introduced in the United States.
She became the world’s oldest person following the death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera in August 2024 at the age of 117.
“Ms. Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life,” said Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima, 27, in the statement. “We thank her for it.”
One of three siblings, Itooka lived through monumental events, including world wars, pandemics, and technological revolutions. As a student, she was an avid volleyball player. In her later years, she enjoyed bananas and Calpis, a popular milky soft drink in Japan.
Japan is known for its high life expectancy, particularly among women. However, the country is grappling with a demographic crisis, with a rapidly aging population and a shrinking workforce. As of September, Japan had over 95,000 centenarians, 88% of whom were women. Nearly one-third of Japan’s 124 million people are aged 65 or older, contributing to rising healthcare and welfare costs.
(AFP)
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