This photograph supplied by Ashiya Metropolis reveals Tomiko Itooka, being celebrated for her 116th birthday on the nursing dwelling she lives in Ashiya, western Japan, on Could 23, 2024.
AP/Ashiya Metropolis
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AP/Ashiya Metropolis
TOKYO — Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese lady who was the world’s oldest individual in accordance with Guinness World Data, has died, an Ashiya metropolis official stated Saturday. She was 116.
Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official accountable for aged insurance policies, stated Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a care dwelling in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.
Itooka, who cherished bananas and a yogurt-flavored Japanese drink known as Calpis, was born on Could 23, 1908. She turned the oldest individual final yr following the loss of life of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, in accordance with the Gerontology Analysis Group.
When she was instructed she was on the prime of the World Supercentenarian Rankings Listing, she merely replied, “Thanks.”
When Itooka celebrated her birthday final yr, she acquired flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor.
Born in Osaka, Itooka was a volleyball participant in highschool, and lengthy had a fame for a sprightly spirit, Nagata stated. She climbed the three,067-meter (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice.
She married at 20, and had two daughters and two sons, in accordance with Guinness.
Itooka managed the workplace of her husband’s textile manufacturing facility throughout World Warfare II. She lived alone in Nara after her husband died in 1979.
She is survived by one son and one daughter, and 5 grandchildren. A funeral service was held with household and mates, in accordance with Nagata.
In keeping with the Gerontology Analysis Group, the world’s oldest individual is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Itooka.
