Tomiko Itooka, recognized as the oldest person globally, has passed away at the age of 116 in her nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. She celebrated her 116th birthday on May 23, 2024, and her life was a testament to resilience and hope, as noted by Ashiya's mayor, Ryosuke Takashima. Born in May 1908, Itooka witnessed transformative events, from the two World Wars to groundbreaking technological advancements, and was verified as the world’s oldest person in September 2024 following the death of Maria Branyas Morera from Spain.
Tomiko Itooka, World's Oldest Person, Passes Away at 116
Tomiko Itooka, World's Oldest Person, Passes Away at 116
Tomiko Itooka's life spanned over a century, marking significant historical milestones and offering inspiration to many.
Throughout her life, Tomiko Itooka contributed to her husband’s textile factory during World War II while raising her four children. Even at 116, she enjoyed life's simple pleasures, such as bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese drink. Survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren, her legacy continues as she was part of a demographic where over 95,000 individuals in Japan are centenarians, predominantly women. As of now, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, born just 16 days after Itooka, has taken the title of the world’s oldest living person.
