116-year-old Japanese woman confirmed as world’s oldest living person
116-year-old Tomiko Itooka (b. 23 May 1908) is now the world’s oldest living woman and oldest living person, following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera.
Her age is validated by the Gerontology Research Group (directed by Robert D. Young) and she was confirmed to be alive today by a Guinness World Records representative.
Tomiko resides in a nursing home in the city of Ashiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
She’s lived there since 2019, having previously lived at home with her two daughters until the age of 110.
Tomiko celebrated her 116th birthday three months ago, receiving flowers and a cake (which she confessed to disliking!) as well as a card from the city’s mayor.
Her carers said that she remains able to communicate clearly, despite being hard of hearing, and routinely expresses gratitude towards them.
Bananas are her favourite food, and she drinks Calpis (a milky, acidic drink) every morning.
Tomiko at age 94
Tomiko was born and raised in Osaka as the second of three siblings. After elementary school, she attended an all-girls high school, where she was a keen volleyball player.
She got married at age 20 and had four children (two daughters and two sons), and she now has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During World War II, Tomiko managed the office of her husband’s textile factory.
Age 100
After her husband passed away in 1979, she continued living alone in Nara Prefecture, where she enjoyed frequently climbing Mt Nijo.
She was also able to conquer the 3,000-metre-high Mt. Ontake twice.
In her eighties, Tomiko completed the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage (a journey to 33 Buddhist temples in the Kansai region) twice, and even at the age of 100, she was able to scale the stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without a walking stick.
These long hikes are the secret to her longevity, according to her family.
Age 113
Tomiko is currently the 24th-oldest person in recorded history.
She has been the oldest living person in Japan (and Asia overall) since December 2023, following the death of 116-year-old Fusa Tatsumi.
The oldest person ever authenticated was Jeanne Calment (France), who lived to the age of 122 years 164 days.
Photos courtesy of the Gerontology Research Group