Maria Branyas Morera, a resident of San Francisco, was considered the world’s oldest person until she passed away this week at 117. Following her death, the Guinness World Records title of the oldest living person now belongs to Tomiko Itooka from Japan, who is 116-years-old. Born on May 23, 1908, Itooka’s age has been officially confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group. She currently resides in a nursing home where she has lived since 2019. Prior to this, she lived at home with her daughters until she was 110. Itooka was married at 20 and had two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she played a key role managing her husband’s textile factory.
After losing her husband in 1979, the record holder continued living in his hometown Nara for almost 10 years. However, she didn’t lose hope and remained active all her life. Despite being in her 70s, she climbed Mount Nijo and even conquered 3,067 meter Mount Ontake twice. When she was 80, Itooka completed the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a challenging route through 33 Buddhist temples, twice. At the age of 100, she climbed the stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without any help. Her family believes that these adventurous activities helped her live long.
According to Gerontology Research Group records, in 2022, after the death of a 115-year-old woman whose name was not disclosed, Tomiko Itooka took the spot of the oldest living person in Hyogo Prefecture. Later in 2023, Itooka was recognised as the last known Japanese person born in 1908, following the passing of 114-year-old Yasue Okai. She celebrated her 115th birthday in 2023 and two days later, she became the oldest person ever from Hyogo Prefecture. After the death of 116-year-old Fusa Tatsumi on December 12, 2023, Itooka was confirmed as the oldest living person in Japan and Asia. At the beginning of 2024, after the death of 116-year-old Edie Ceccarelli, Itooka became the second-oldest living person in the world.
Interestingly, the woman was born in the same year when the Wright Brothers made their historic flights in Europe and America. In that same year, the Eiffel Tower transmitted a long distance radio message for the first time.
On her birthday this year, Tomiko Itooka received flowers, a cake and a card from the city’s mayor. Her caregivers mentioned that it has become hard for her to hear clearly, but she’s still able to communicate in a perfect manner and regularly thanks them for their care.
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