Born on May 23, 1908, Itooka witnessed significant global events, including two world wars and multiple pandemics.
\n tokyo
\nTomiko Itooka, the Japanese woman recognized as the world\u2019s oldest person by the Guinness World Records, has passed away at the age of 116.
\nShe died on December 29 at a nursing home in Ashiya, where she had resided since 2019.
\nItooka\u2019s death marks the end of an era for those who witnessed her long life, which spanned over a century of historical changes and technological innovations.
\nBorn on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Japan, Itooka\u2019s life began just four months before the launch of the Ford Model T in the United States.
\nThroughout her remarkable life, she lived through significant global events, including two world wars, multiple pandemics, and the rise of groundbreaking technologies that changed the world.
\nItooka was one of three siblings and witnessed many historical milestones, including the transformation of Japan into an economic powerhouse in the post-war era.
\nItooka was a mother of four children and a grandmother of five, leaving behind a legacy of family and resilience.
\nThe mayor of Ashiya, Ryosuke Takashima, 27, expressed deep gratitude in a statement, saying, \u201cMs. Itooka gave us courage and hope through her long life. We thank her for it.\u201d
\nAs a student, Itooka was known for her active lifestyle, including playing volleyball.
\nIn her later years, she enjoyed simple comforts like bananas and Calpis, a milky soft drink popular in Japan. These small pleasures reflected her ability to adapt and find joy throughout her life, no matter the challenges.
\nItooka had been recognized as the world\u2019s oldest person following the death of Spain\u2019s Maria Branyas Morera, who passed away at 117 in August 2024.
\nItooka\u2019s passing has once again highlighted Japan\u2019s reputation for longevity, as the country has one of the highest life expectancies in the world.
\nHowever, Japan is also grappling with a demographic crisis, as its aging population leads to escalating medical and welfare costs while the working-age population shrinks.
\nAs of September 2024, Japan had more than 95,000 centenarians, with 88 percent of them being women.
\nNearly a third of Japan\u2019s 124 million people are aged 65 or older, presenting a growing challenge for the country\u2019s healthcare and pension systems.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Born on May 23, 1908, Itooka witnessed significant global events, including two world wars and multiple pandemics. tokyo Tomiko Itooka, the Japanese woman recognized as the world\u2019s oldest person by the Guinness World Records, has passed away at the age of 116. She died on December 29 at a nursing home in Ashiya, where she […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":453611,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-453595","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n