Tomiko Itooka of Ashiya, Japan, known as the world’s oldest person, has died at the age of 116. Over a century, her life witnessed remarkable global changes and personal milestones.
Tomiko Itooka passed away on December 29 in a nursing home in Ashiya, where she had been residing since 2019. Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Itooka lived through the emergence of the Ford Model T and significant world events, including world wars and technological advances. Her longevity made her a beacon of hope and courage, as expressed by Ashiya’s young mayor, Ryosuke Takashima.
Itooka leaves behind a rich legacy, including four children and five grandchildren. She enjoyed a vibrant life, marked by her early years playing volleyball and her later preferences for simple pleasures like bananas and the popular Japanese drink, Calpis.
The world's oldest person, Japanese woman Tomiko Itooka, died aged 116 on December 29 at a nursing home where she resided since 2019, the city where she lived, Ashiya, announced on Saturday.
She was born on May 23, 1908.
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Following the death of Maria Branyas Morera of Spain in August 2024, Itooka was recognized as the oldest person in the world. Her record is a testament to the extraordinary longevity often seen in Japan, where many lead exceptionally long lives.
Itooka’s life story also highlights Japan’s ongoing demographic challenges. With a rapidly ageing population, the country faces escalating medical and welfare costs, supported by a diminishing labour force. As of September, Japan had over 95,000 centenarians, 88 per cent of whom were women, reflecting the broader global phenomenon of female longevity.
