Tomiko Itooka, recognized as the world's oldest person, has passed away at the age of 116 in a nursing home in Japan, leaving behind a legacy of hope and survival through tumultuous eras.
Remembering Tomiko Itooka: The World's Oldest Person Passes Away at Age 116
Remembering Tomiko Itooka: The World's Oldest Person Passes Away at Age 116
A tribute to a life spanning over a century of history and resilience.
In a heartfelt farewell, Japan mourns the loss of Tomiko Itooka, the world's oldest person, who passed away in a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Born in May 1908, Itooka celebrated her 116th birthday just months before her death. She attained the title of the world's oldest individual following the passing of Spain's Maria Branyas Morera, who died in August 2024 at the age of 117.
Ashiya's mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, expressed gratitude for her remarkable life, stating, "Ms Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life." This sentiment echoes the impact she had on her community, transcending her age as a source of inspiration for many.
Itooka's long journey through 116 years encapsulated global events from the First World War to modern-day technological advancements. Verified as the oldest person in the world by Guinness World Records in September 2024—on the Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in Japan that honors senior citizens—Itooka's legacy is woven into the fabric of a country with a significant aging population; over 95,000 individuals in Japan are aged 100 or older, with 88% being women.
A vivacious individual, Tomiko enjoyed volleyball and scaled Mount Ontake twice during her youth. In her later years, she relished simple pleasures, such as bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese soft drink. Throughout her life, she balanced family and career, managing her husband’s textile factory during World War II, and continued to inspire those around her until her final days.
Itooka is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren, and her funeral was attended by close family and friends. In the wake of her passing, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, born just 16 days after Itooka, is now recognized as the oldest living person.
As Japan faces a growing elderly demographic, with nearly a third of its population over the age of 65, the legacy of Tomiko Itooka will surely resonate, inspiring generations to come.
Ashiya's mayor, Ryosuke Takashima, expressed gratitude for her remarkable life, stating, "Ms Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life." This sentiment echoes the impact she had on her community, transcending her age as a source of inspiration for many.
Itooka's long journey through 116 years encapsulated global events from the First World War to modern-day technological advancements. Verified as the oldest person in the world by Guinness World Records in September 2024—on the Respect for the Aged Day, a national holiday in Japan that honors senior citizens—Itooka's legacy is woven into the fabric of a country with a significant aging population; over 95,000 individuals in Japan are aged 100 or older, with 88% being women.
A vivacious individual, Tomiko enjoyed volleyball and scaled Mount Ontake twice during her youth. In her later years, she relished simple pleasures, such as bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese soft drink. Throughout her life, she balanced family and career, managing her husband’s textile factory during World War II, and continued to inspire those around her until her final days.
Itooka is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren, and her funeral was attended by close family and friends. In the wake of her passing, Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, born just 16 days after Itooka, is now recognized as the oldest living person.
As Japan faces a growing elderly demographic, with nearly a third of its population over the age of 65, the legacy of Tomiko Itooka will surely resonate, inspiring generations to come.
