World's oldest person dies in Japan

Tomiko Itooka, Japan's oldest person and recognized as the world's longest-lived person, has died at the age of 116.

Photo of Ms. Tomiko Itooka posted on the Guinness World Records website in August 2024 - Photo: Guinnessworldrecords.com

On January 4, Kyodo News Agency (Japan) reported that Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka - recognized as the world's longest-lived person - passed away due to old age, at the age of 116. This information was provided by an official of Ashiya city, Hyogo prefecture, western Japan, where she lived.

According to information from the Ashiya City government, Ms. Itooka was born on May 23, 1908 in Osaka, one of three sisters. She passed away last Sunday night (December 29, 2024) at a nursing home.

Ms. Itooka became the oldest person in Japan in December 2023 after Ms. Fusa Tatsumi (116 years old) in Kashiwara, Osaka Prefecture passed away.

Ms. Itooka was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's oldest person in September 2024, after Ms. Maria Branyas Morera (117 years old) from Olot, Catalonia, Spain passed away.

Mrs. Tomiko Itooka at the age of 94 - Photo: Guinnessworldrecords.com

According to the Guinness Book of Records, after finishing elementary school, Itooka attended an all-girls junior high school, where she was an avid volleyball player. She married at age 20 and had four children (two girls and two boys), and now has several grandchildren. During World War II, Itooka managed the office of her husband's textile factory.

After her husband died in 1979, she continued to live alone in Nara Prefecture, where she frequently climbed Mount Nijo. She was also able to conquer the 3,000-meter-high Mount Ontake twice.

In her 80s, she completed the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage (a journey to 33 Buddhist temples in the Kansai region) twice, and even at the age of 100, she could still climb the stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without a cane.

According to Ms. Itooka's family, these long walks are the secret to her longevity.

Mrs. Tomiko Itooka at the age of 100 - Photo: Guinnessworldrecords.com

She has since moved to a nursing home in Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Her caregivers say she can still communicate clearly, despite her hearing problems, and frequently expresses gratitude to them. Bananas are Itooka’s favorite fruit, and she drinks Calpis (a sour milk-based drink) every morning.

The world's oldest person is now Inah Canabarro Lucas, a 116-year-old Brazilian nun, according to Tass News Agency.

Ms. Tomiko Itooka at the age of 113 (left photo) and on her 116th birthday in May 2024 (right photo) - Photo: Guinnessworldrecords.com, Kyodo

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-song-tho-nhat-the-gioi-qua-doi-o-nhat-ban-20250104170847743.htm