World’s Oldest Person Dies at 116

The world’s oldest person, who lived to the age of 116, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of longevity.

Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognized as the world’s oldest person, passed away at 116 years old. The announcement was made on Saturday by Ashiya city officials, where she resided.

Itooka, who was a mother of four and had five grandchildren, passed away on December 29 at the nursing home where she had been living since 2019, according to a statement from the mayor of the southern city.

She was born on May 23, 1908, in the bustling commercial center of Osaka near Ashiya — just four months before the Ford Model T debuted in the United States.

After Spain’s Maria Branyas Morera passed away at the age of 117 in August 2024, Itooka was acknowledged as the world’s oldest person.

“Throughout her long life, Ms. Itooka inspired us with courage and hope,” stated Ryosuke Takashima, Ashiya’s 27-year-old mayor.

“We are grateful to her for that.”

Itooka, one of three siblings, experienced world wars and pandemics alongside technological advancements.

She played volleyball when she was a student.

According to the mayor’s statement, as she grew older, Itooka found pleasure in bananas and Calpis, a popular milky soft drink from Japan.

Women in Japan generally experience longer lifespans, but the country is grappling with a deepening demographic crisis. The growing elderly population is driving up medical and welfare expenses, while a declining labor force struggles to cover these costs.

As of September, Japan had over 95,000 centenarians, with women comprising 88 percent of this population.

Out of the country’s 124 million residents, almost one-third are aged 65 or older.