Tomiko Itooka, confirmed by Guinness World Records as the oldest individual on the planet, has passed away at the age of 116 in a care facility in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. She earned the title of the world’s oldest person following the demise of Maria Branyas Morera from Spain in August 2024, who was 117 at the time of her death.
Ashiya’s young mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, remarked, “Ms. Itooka provided us with inspiration and optimism throughout her extensive life. We are grateful for her legacy.” Born in May 1908, Itooka lived through significant historical events including both World Wars and saw the introduction of the Ford Model T in the US.
Her status as the world’s oldest living person was officially acknowledged in September 2024, and she received her Guinness certificate on Japan’s Respect for the Aged Day, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the elderly. As one of three siblings, Itooka’s life spanned across times of both global conflict and technological advancement.
In her youth, she was active in sports, notably playing volleyball and scaling Mount Ontake, which stands at 3,067 meters, twice. Her dietary preferences included bananas and Calpis, a favored Japanese beverage. She married at age 20 and had four children, two of each gender. During WWII, she took charge of her husband’s textile business office. After losing her spouse in 1979, she spent her later years living alone in Nara.
She leaves behind one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. A memorial was organized for her, attended by close ones. At the time of her death, Japan boasted over 95,000 centenarians, predominantly women, with nearly a third of its 124 million population being over 65.
The title of the world’s oldest person now likely belongs to Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, born just 16 days after Itooka and also aged 116.