Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116

Tomiko Itooka, the world’s oldest person at the time of her death, passed away at 116 in Ashiya, Japan. Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, she lived through monumental changes in Japan’s history, from its imperial expansion to its post-war transformation into a peaceful democracy. The mayor of Ashiya praised her for inspiring courage and hope throughout her life, and she had been officially recognized as the world’s oldest living person by Guinness World Records in September 2024.

Ms. Itooka grew up in prewar Japan, excelling in volleyball during high school before marrying Kenji Itooka, the owner of a textile company. During World War II, she managed the family business and raised four children while her husband oversaw operations in Korea, then under Japanese control. Widowed in 1979 after 51 years of marriage, she relocated to Ashiya, where she remained active, hiking into her 80s and ascending shrine steps at 100 without assistance.

Known for her vibrant spirit and remarkable longevity, Ms. Itooka credited her long life to bananas and Calpis, a popular Japanese dairy drink. She left behind a legacy of resilience and determination, surviving by one daughter, one son, and several grandchildren. Her passing marks the end of an extraordinary life that spanned over a century of profound global and personal transformations.

For more information see Miharu Nishiyama and Hisako Ueno “Tomiko Itooka of Japan, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 116”, The New York Times, January 4, 2025.

Special thanks to Lewis Saret (Attorney, Washington, D.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.