Tomiko Itooka, who marked her 116th birthday on May 23, 2024, died peacefully in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Itooka was officially recognized as the world’s oldest person by Guinness World Records following the passing of Spain's Maria Branyas Morera in August 2024 at 117. Mayor Ryosuke Takashima expressed gratitude for the hope and courage Ms. Itooka provided throughout her lengthy life, stating, “We thank her for it.”
Born in May 1908, Itooka witnessed monumental events in history, including two world wars and countless technological advancements. She received the Guinness certification in September 2024 during a ceremony on Respect for the Aged Day—a day honoring the elderly in Japanese culture.
Itooka grew up in a family of three siblings, excelled in volleyball, and completed the challenging climb of Mount Ontake twice. She cherished simple pleasures like eating bananas and enjoying Calpis, a beloved Japanese soft drink in her later years.
At the young age of 20, she married and became a mother to two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she bravely managed her husband's textile factory office. Following her husband's death in 1979, she lived independently in Nara, Japan. Ms. Itooka is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren.
As of September, Japan boasts over 95,000 centenarians, with women making up 88% of this demographic. With Tomiko Itooka's passing, the title of the world's oldest person now goes to Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, born just 16 days after Itooka.
