The world’s oldest, Japanese Tomiko Itooka, died at the age of 116

The oldest person in the world, Japanese Tomiko Itooka, died at the age of 116, the city of Ashiya, in southern Japan, where she lived, announced on Saturday January 4. Tomiko Itooka, who had four children and five grandchildren, died on December 29 in the elderly residence where she had resided since 2019, said Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima. 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 117 years old.

“Madame Itooka gave us courage and hope throughout her long life”commented the mayor of Ashiya. “We thank her for that”added the 27-year-old elected official. 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.