World's Oldest Person Dies Tomiko Itooka Dies At 116 | World Newsnews24 | News 24
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World’s oldest person dies Tomiko Itooka dies at 116 | World Newsnews24

The world’s oldest person has died at the age of 116, Guinness World Records has said.

Tomiko Itooka died on 29 December at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan, according to staff.

A funeral service was held with family and friends.

Ms Itooka, who loved bananas and a yogurt-flavoured Japanese drink called Calpis, was born on 23 May 1908.

She was recognised as the oldest person last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

When told she was at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List, Ms Itooka replied: “Thank you.”

On her birthday last year, she received flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor.

This photo provided by Ashiya City shows Tomiko Itooka, being celebrated for her 116th birthday at the nursing home she lives in Ashiya, western Japan, on May 23, 2024. (Ashiya City via AP)
Image:
Pic: Ashiya City via AP

Born in Osaka, Ms Itooka was a volleyball player in high school, and long had a reputation for a sprightly spirit, officials said.

She climbed the 10,062ft Mount Ontake twice.

Read more from Sky News:
Oldest living Olympic medallist dies

According to Guinness World Records, she married at 20 and had two daughters and two sons.

Ms Itooka managed the office of her husband’s textile factory during the Second World War and lived alone in Nara after he died in 1979.

She is survived by one son and one daughter, and five grandchildren.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, the world’s oldest person is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Ms Itooka.

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