### Tomiko Itooka, Japan's Oldest Person, Passes at 116

Wed Apr 02 2025 13:22:29 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
### Tomiko Itooka, Japan's Oldest Person, Passes at 116

### The remarkable life of Tomiko Itooka, who witnessed a century of history, comes to an end, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and vitality.


### Tomiko Itooka, believed to be the world's oldest person, has died at the age of 116 in Japan, after a long life marked by significant historical experiences and personal achievements.

 

Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman born prior to World War I and the Titanic disaster, has passed away in a nursing home in Ashiya, Japan. She was 116 years old. The mayor of Ashiya, Ryosuke Takashima, announced her death, stating she died peacefully due to age-related complications, although no exact cause was given.

Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life recognized last September by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person following the death of Spain's Maria Branyas Morera, who was 117. Ms. Itooka, originally Tomiko Yano, entered this world on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Japan, where she grew up in a family that ran a clothing store. At this time, Japan was establishing itself as a significant imperial power, having recently defeated czarist Russia and pursuing expansionism in Asia.

In the same year of her birth, Japan orchestrated a diplomatic agreement with the United States, which, among other things, recognized Japan's annexation of Korea. Over her lifetime, Ms. Itooka witnessed her nation transform — from an imperial power to one that faced defeat in 1945, only to emerge later as a thriving industrial democracy.

As a youth, Ms. Itooka was active in sports like volleyball before marrying Kenji Itooka, whose textile company she would later help manage. While he served in Korea during World War II, she remained in Japan, single-handedly running their business and raising four children, demonstrating exceptional resilience and strength.

Following her husband's death in 1979 after over five decades of marriage, Ms. Itooka moved to Ashiya and maintained her passion for hiking well into her 80s, reportedly climbing the local Shinto shrine’s stone steps without assistance at the age of 100. When asked about her longevity, she humorously attributed her long life to eating bananas and enjoying Calpis, a traditional Japanese dairy drink.

Ms. Itooka leaves behind one daughter, one son, and several grandchildren, as a symbol of strength, adaptability, and inspiration to many, having lived through an extraordinary period in Japanese and global history.

MORE ON THEME

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:16:17 GMT

Remembering Betty Webb: A Key Contributor to Bletchley Park's Codebreaking Legacy

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 21:16:17 GMT
Mon, 31 Mar 2025 03:41:12 GMT

Richard Chamberlain, Icon of TV Drama, Passes Away at 90

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 03:41:12 GMT
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:29:57 GMT

Hegseth Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthen U.S.-Japan Military Ties Against China

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 13:29:57 GMT
Sun, 30 Mar 2025 10:15:22 GMT

Tokyo Farmers Unite Against Government Rice Regulations Amidst Crisis

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 10:15:22 GMT
Fri, 28 Mar 2025 04:07:18 GMT

Japan's Lake Suwa: The Spiritual Significance of an Ice Phenomenon

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 04:07:18 GMT
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 21:18:19 GMT

Tariffs Threaten to Ignite Global Trade War as Automakers Brace for Impact

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 21:18:19 GMT
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:57:16 GMT

China's Soccer Aspirations Crumble Amidst Losses and Scandals

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 12:57:16 GMT
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:21:31 GMT

Global Repercussions of U.S. Auto Tariffs: A Shift in International Alliances

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:21:31 GMT
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:39:38 GMT

Unearthing the Past: Confronting Germany’s Fascist Legacy in Poland

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:39:38 GMT
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:38:13 GMT

**China's Dual Strategy: Diplomacy and Aggression in East Asia**

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 04:38:13 GMT
Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:58:11 GMT

China's Aspirations in Football Face Disheartening Setbacks

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:58:11 GMT
Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:16:17 GMT

**Trump's 25% Tariffs on Auto Imports Spark Economic Concerns and Call for Negotiation**

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 22:16:17 GMT
Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:59:44 GMT

Japan Court Orders Dissolution of Unification Church Amid Controversy

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:59:44 GMT
Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:56:01 GMT

**Japanese Court Orders Disbandment of Unification Church Following Abe Assassination**

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:56:01 GMT
Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:09:23 GMT

**Japanese Court Orders Disbandment of Unification Church Amid Controversy**

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 09:09:23 GMT
Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:26:41 GMT

Changing Perspectives: An Elder's Reflection on America's Role in Global History

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 09:26:41 GMT
Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:09:16 GMT

John A. Hemingway, Last Airman of the Battle of Britain, Passes Away at 105

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 17:09:16 GMT
Sun, 16 Mar 2025 15:58:07 GMT

Gene Hackman's Estate Raises Questions Following His and Wife's Deaths

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 15:58:07 GMT
Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:10:20 GMT

**95 and Speedy: The Remarkable Journey of Iichi Marumo, the World’s Oldest Speedskater**

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:10:20 GMT
Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:09:06 GMT

The Hidden Costs of Domestic Work: Tragedies Faced by East African Women in Saudi Arabia**

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 04:09:06 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.