World’s oldest person Tomiko Itooka who credited long life to decades of hiking dies age 116
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THE world's oldest person has reportedly died aged 116 just months after being awarded the historic title. Japanese supercentenarian Tomiko Itooka passed away at her care home on December 29, according to Guinness World Records. Tomiko was born on 23 May 1908 and claimed her long-life was due to a love of bananas and a Japanese yogurt drink known as Calpis.
![[Japanese OAP Tomiko Itooka passed away at her care home on December 29]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000926776358.jpg?strip=all&w=684)
She was even an avid climber who even remarkably managed to scale a mountain when she hit 100 - without using a walking stick. Her family believe these tricky hikes have helped her body stay healthy and led to her incredibly long life. When she was told about being Earth's oldest person she simply replied: "Thank you.".
![[Itooka was born in 1908]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo-provided-ashiya-city-shows-961419413.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Her family and friends held a touching funeral service for the historic OAP in the past few days in the Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture. She got married at just 20 and raised two daughters and two sons. During World War II when Tomiko was in her early-30s, she operated the Japanese office of her husband's textile factory while also taking care of her four kids at home.
![[The widow had two daughters and two sons]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_0a11b3.jpeg?strip=all&w=960)
When the 116-year-old's husband tragically died in 1979, Tomiko lived alone in her husband's hometown of Nara Prefecture for ten years. Her resilience has also been seen her survive a bout of the flu in 2023. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online.
![[Tomiko pictured at 94 years old]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_7f77fb.jpeg?strip=all&w=684)
