Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, the World’s Oldest Person, Passes Away at 116
Tomiko Itooka, the world’s oldest person, has passed away at the age of 116, the city of Ashiya, Japan, announced on Saturday. Itooka died on December 29 at a nursing home, where she had resided since 2019. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable life that spanned over a century of history and change.
Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, near Ashiya, Itooka lived through a time of world wars, pandemics, and incredible technological advancements. She was born just four months before the launch of the iconic Ford Model T in the United States, a symbol of the technological revolution that would reshape the world. Throughout her long life, she was a witness to numerous pivotal moments in global history.
Itooka became the world’s oldest living person following the death of Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera in August 2024 at the age of 117. In a statement, Ashiya’s 27-year-old mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, praised Itooka for her inspiring life, saying, “Ms. Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life. We thank her for it.”
A devoted mother of four and grandmother of five, Itooka’s life was marked by resilience and joy. As a young woman, she was active in sports, playing volleyball during her student years. In her later years, she enjoyed simple pleasures, particularly eating bananas and sipping on Calpis, a popular milky soft drink in Japan.
Japan, known for its longevity among women, is currently grappling with a growing demographic crisis. As the nation’s elderly population expands, the country faces soaring medical and welfare costs, compounded by a shrinking workforce. As of September 2024, Japan reported over 95,000 centenarians, with 88 percent of them being women. Nearly a third of Japan’s 124 million people are aged 65 or older.
