A 116-year-old Japanese woman, Tomiko Itooka, has been named the world’s oldest living person by Guinness World Records after the recent passing of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera in Spain. The Gerontology Research Group, which focuses on verifying the ages of individuals who are 110 years or older, confirmed Itooka’s birthdate of May 23, 1908, and her age. She currently resides in a nursing home in Ashiya, a city in Hyogo Prefecture. The confirmation of her status by Guinness World Records took place on August 22, 2024, marking a significant moment in the world of supercentenarians. Itooka’s extraordinary life has garnered considerable attention, especially given the context of her age and the global recognition she has received.

Itooka’s life has been one of remarkable achievements and resilience. Born in Osaka, she was a volleyball player in her high school years. She got married at 20 and became a mother to two daughters and two sons. Throughout World War II, she oversaw the operations of her husband’s textile factory office. After her husband passed away in 1979, Itooka lived alone in Nara until she moved to a nursing home. Despite her advanced age, Itooka remained active well into her later years, climbing Japan’s 3,067-meter Mount Ontake twice and continuing to enjoy long hikes even after turning 100. In May 2024, in honor of her 116th birthday, she was presented with flowers, a cake, and a card from the mayor. Itooka’s daily routine includes enjoying a yogurt-flavored drink called Calpis and her favorite food, bananas, which are simple pleasures that have remained a part of her life.