The oldest of humanity, the Japanese Tomiko Itooka, died at 116 years old

The oldest person in the world, Japanese Tomiko Itooka, died at the age of 116, the Japanese town of Ashiya, where she lived, announced on Saturday January 4.

M^me Itooka, who had four children and five grandchildren, died on December 29 in the residence for the elderly where she had resided since 2019, the mayor of Ashiya said in a press release. Born on May 23, 1908 in Osaka, not far from Ashiya, she was identified as the oldest of humanity after the death, in August 2024, of the Spaniard Maria Branyas Morera at the age of 117.

“M^me Itooka gave us courage and hope throughout his long life”commented Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima. “We thank her for that”added the 27-year-old elected official.

Wars, pandemics and technological revolutions

Coming from a family of three children, a volleyball player in her youth, she has experienced wars, pandemics and technological revolutions.

In her old age, she was fond of bananas and Calpis, a drink made from lactic ferments very popular in Japan, according to the town hall press release.

Japan is currently experiencing a demographic crisis, with its elderly population increasing and its working population, which finances increased medical and social costs, decreasing. As of September, Japan had more than 95,000 centenarians, 88% of them women.