Tomiko Itooka, World’s Oldest Living Person, Dies at 116: ‘Gave Us Courage and Hope Through Her Long Life’

Mar. 15, 2025

Tomiko Itooka on her 116th birtthday on May 23, 2024.Photo:City of Ashiya via AP

This photo provided by the city of Ashiya shows Tomiko Itooka, being celebrated for her 116th birthday at the nursing home she lives in Ashiya, western Japan, on May 23, 2024.

City of Ashiya via AP

Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was theGuinness World Records’ oldest living person, has died. She was 116.

Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, in central Japan, where she had lived for the past five year, the Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed on Saturday, Jan. 4.

Itooka, who was known for her love of bananas and a yogurt-flavored Japanese drink called Calpis, was born on May 23, 1908. She became the oldest living person in August following the death of 117-year-oldMaria Branyas Morera, who had previously held the title.

“Ms. Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life,” the mayor, 27, said in a statement, perBBC. “We thank her for it.”

Tomiko Itooka on her 116th birtthday on May 23, 2024.City of Ashiya via AP

This photo provided by the city of Ashiya shows Tomiko Itooka, being celebrated for her 116th birthday at the nursing home she lives in Ashiya, western Japan, on May 23, 2024.

Born in Osaka, Itooka was a volleyball player at an all-girls high school who was known for her lively spirit. She was also an accomplished mountain climber. She climbed the 10,062-foot Mount Ontake twice.

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GWR noted Itooka married at 20 and had two daughters and two sons.

At 32, during World War II, Itooka managed the office of her husband’s textile factory in addition to taking care of her children. After her husband died in 1979, she lived alone in Nara Prefecture and spent a lot of time doing her favorite activities: hiking and climbing.

According to her family, per GWR, Itooka’s active lifestyle was the key to her longevity. At 100, she remained able to climb the stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without the aid of a walking stick.

A funeral service was held with family and friends.

source: people.com