World’s Oldest Person Title Goes to 116-Year-Old Japanese Woman

The title of the world’s oldest person is going to a 116-year-old Japanese woman. Explore her life and the significance of this milestone.

According to a research group, an ex-mountaineer from Japan who is 116 years old will soon be recognized as the oldest person in the world by Guinness World Records. This comes after the recent passing of a Spanish woman who was 117 years old earlier this week.

The Gerontology Research Group reported that Tomiko Itooka, residing in Ashiya – a western city of Japan, was born on May 23rd ,1908.

According to the group, following Maria Branyas Morera’s passing in a Spanish nursing home on Monday, she is now second in line for the title of world’s oldest person.

Read Also: World’s Oldest Person Dies at 117

Itooka, a mother of three, was born during the year when the Eiffel Tower transmitted its first long-distance radio message and when both Europe and America witnessed public flights by the Wright Brothers.

According to the research group, Itooka was in her 70s when she frequently engaged in mountain climbing activities and even made two successful ascents on Japan’s Mount Ontake which stands at an impressive height of 3,067 meters (10,062 feet).

Surprisingly, during one of these climbs, she chose to wear sneakers instead of hiking boots – much to the shock of her guide.

According to the group, she ascended Japan’s Ashiya Shrine’s lengthy stone steps at 100 years old without a cane.