Guinness World Records Announces New Oldest Person in the World
After the death of 117-year-old Spaniard Maria Branias, 116-year-old Japanese Tomiko Itooka was recognised as the new oldest person in the world.
This is reported by the Guinness World Records website.
The age of the woman, who was born on 23 May 1908, was confirmed by the Gerontological Research Group led by Robert Young.
The organisation's representative also made sure that 116-year-old Tomiko is still alive - she currently lives in a retirement home in Ashiya, Japan.
Born and raised in Osaka, Tomiko was the second of three children in the family. In high school, she was fond of volleyball.
The Japanese woman got married at the age of 20 and gave birth to two daughters and two sons, and now has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
During the Second World War, Tomiko managed the office of her husband's textile factory on her own. After his death, she continued to live alone in Nara Prefecture, on the island of Honshu (Japan). There, she loved to climb mountains.
Tomiko twice managed to conquer the second largest volcano in Japan - Mount Ontake at an altitude of 3000 metres.
At the age of 80, she completed the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, a journey to 33 Buddhist temples in the Kansai region. Even at the age of 100, she was able to climb the stone stairs of the Ashiya temple without the help of a cane.
Until 2019, the newly minted record holder lived at home with her two daughters, and then moved to a retirement home.
In May, the woman celebrated her 116th birthday. As a gift, Tomiko received flowers, a card from the mayor of the city and a cake, which she later admitted she did not like.
The 116-year-old woman communicates freely with her caregivers despite having hearing problems. According to the nursing home staff, Tomiko regularly expresses her gratitude to them.
According to her family, the secret to the Japanese woman's longevity is her love of long hikes.
In December 2023, Tomiko Itooka was recognised as the oldest person in Japan and Asia.
As The Gaze previously reported, Spaniard Maria Branyas, who was considered the oldest person in the world, died on 20 August at the age of 117.