Japanese Woman, 116, Becomes World's Oldest Living Person

Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman, has been officially recognized as the world's oldest living person by Guinness World Records. This acknowledgment came following the passing of the previous record holder, Maria Branyas, at 117 years old.

The Gerontology Research Group, an organization dedicated to validating and tracking supercentenarians, confirmed Itooka's birthdate as May 23, 1908. This verification places her at the top of their World Supercentenarian Rankings List. It's worth noting that the oldest verified person ever was Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to an extraordinary 122 years and 164 days.

Itooka currently resides in a nursing home in Ashiya, a city in Hyogo Prefecture known for its affluence. When informed of her new status, she responded with a simple "Thank you," a phrase she frequently uses to express gratitude to her caretakers.

Born in Osaka, Itooka's life spans over a century of Japanese history. In her youth, she was a volleyball player in high school, a sport that would later become an Olympic event when Tokyo first hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964. At the age of 20, she married, which was slightly earlier than the average marriage age for women in 1920s Japan.

During World War II, Itooka managed the office of her husband's textile factory, joining many Japanese women who took on increased responsibilities in the workforce during this period. After her husband's passing in 1979, she lived independently in Nara before moving to the nursing home.

Itooka's longevity is a testament to Japan's high life expectancy, which stands at an average of 84.3 years as of 2021. The country has seen a significant increase in centenarians, with over 86,000 recorded in 2021. This trend has led to substantial growth in the nursing home industry to support the aging population.

Despite her advanced age, Itooka maintains a daily routine that includes enjoying a popular yogurt-flavored drink called Calpis every morning. This beverage, first marketed in 1919, has been a staple in her diet for decades. She also has a fondness for bananas, which were once considered a luxury item in Japan until the 1960s due to import restrictions.

Itooka's physical prowess in her later years is particularly noteworthy. She climbed the 3,067-meter Mount Ontake twice and continued to enjoy long hikes even after reaching centenarian status. Mount Ontake, Japan's second-highest volcano, presents a significant challenge even for much younger climbers.

As Itooka enters her 117th year, she embodies the resilience and vitality that have come to characterize many of Japan's elderly population. Her life story, spanning from the early 20th century to the present day, offers a unique perspective on the dramatic changes that have occurred in Japanese society over the past century.