Tomiko Itooka, 116-Year-Old Japanese Woman Crowned World’s Oldest Living Person by Guinness World Records
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/23rd August 2024
Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old woman from Ashiya, Japan, has been officially recognized as the world’s oldest living person, following the recent passing of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera. This remarkable achievement has been confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group, which verifies the ages of individuals over 110, and subsequently validated by Guinness World Records, placing Itooka at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List.
Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Itooka has witnessed more than a century of history, living through significant global events and societal changes. She currently resides in a nursing home in Ashiya, located in Japan’s Hyōgo Prefecture, where she has lived since 2019. Prior to this, Itooka lived with her two daughters until she reached the age of 110. Upon learning about her new status as the world’s oldest living person, Itooka simply expressed her gratitude with a heartfelt “Thank you,” a phrase she often uses to acknowledge the care and attention she receives from her caregivers.
Itooka’s 116th birthday, celebrated just three months ago, was marked with a modest ceremony. She received flowers, a card from the city’s mayor, and a cake, although she humbly admitted that cake is not her favorite treat. Despite some hearing difficulties, Itooka remains communicative and engaged with those around her, demonstrating a sharp mind and a gentle demeanor.
As the second of three siblings, Itooka’s early life was spent in Osaka, where she attended an all-girls high school and actively participated in volleyball, a sport that fostered her lifelong love for physical activity. She married at the age of 20 and went on to have four children—two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she played a pivotal role in managing the office of her husband’s textile factory, a responsibility that she upheld with dedication and resilience.
After her husband passed away in 1979, Itooka chose to live alone in Nara Prefecture, where she continued to embrace her passion for hiking and spirituality. Her love for long walks and nature has been a defining feature of her life, and her family attributes much of her longevity to this active lifestyle. She famously climbed Mount Ontake, a peak that rises over 3,000 meters, not just once, but twice, showcasing her extraordinary stamina. Even into her eighties, Itooka completed the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage twice, a series of temple visits that test the endurance of many. At the age of 100, she still possessed the strength to climb the stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without any assistance, an accomplishment that speaks to her remarkable physical condition.
Ranked as the 24th oldest person in recorded history, Itooka has held the title of the oldest living person in Japan and Asia since December 2023, following the death of Fusa Tatsumi. While Itooka’s record is extraordinary, the title of the oldest person ever authenticated still belongs to Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to the astounding age of 122 years and 164 days.
Tomiko Itooka’s life is not only a testament to her personal resilience and vitality but also serves as an inspiration to those around her. Her longevity is a reflection of a life well-lived, filled with love, activity, and an enduring connection to nature and community.
