Following the recent passing of Maria Branyas Morera, who was 117 years old, many are wondering: who is now the world’s oldest person? The answer is Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman who now holds the title of the oldest person in the world. Born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka, Japan, Tomiko Itooka has lived through more than a century of history, making her an extraordinary figure in the world today.
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Tomiko Itooka: A Life of Remarkable Longevity
Tomiko Itooka, born in Osaka in 1908, has become the world’s oldest living person at the age of 116. Her age and birthdate have been confirmed by the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks the world’s supercentenarians—those who are 110 years old or older.
After Maria Branyas Morera’s family announced her death, Tomiko Itooka officially assumed the title, which was confirmed by Guinness World Records on August 19, 2024.
When informed of her new status as the oldest person, Tomiko simply said, “Thank you,” a phrase she often repeats to the caretakers at her nursing home in Ashiya, Hyōgo Prefecture. She continues to live a life marked by daily routines and small pleasures, such as enjoying a yogurt-flavored drink called Calpis and eating her favorite food, bananas.
Early Life and Career of Tomiko Itooka
Born in Osaka, Japan, on May 23, 1908, Tomiko Itooka has witnessed a world of change over her long life. Over her 116 years, Tomiko has seen Japan transform from an emerging industrial nation to a global economic powerhouse.
She has lived through:
- The Great Kanto Earthquake (1923): One of the most devastating natural disasters in Japan’s history, reshaping Tokyo and surrounding regions.
- World War II (1939-1945): A period that brought immense challenges and reconstruction efforts in post-war Japan.
- The Post-War Economic Miracle: Witnessing Japan’s rapid economic growth and technological advancements during the latter half of the 20th century.
- The Digital Revolution: Experiencing the shift from analog to digital, and the integration of technology into everyday life.
During World War II, she took over her husband’s textile factory in South Korea, although she remained in Japan with her children.
After her husband, Kenji Itooka, passed away in 1979, Tomiko lived alone for a decade, during which she frequently climbed Mount Nijō and even summited Mount Ontake twice.
In 1989, at the age of 81, Tomiko moved in with her two daughters. By 2019, she transitioned to a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyōgo Prefecture, where she still resides. Even at the age of 116, she remains active, though she now mostly uses a wheelchair.
Who Are the Other World’s Oldest Living People?
As Tomiko Itooka holds the title of the oldest person in the world, several other supercentenarians also continue to live remarkable lives
- Inah Canabarro Lucas (Brazil, 116):
The oldest living person in Brazil and Latin America, Inah Canabarro Lucas, was born on June 8, 1908. At 116 years, she is the second oldest person in the world at 116 years, 75 days to Tomiko’s 116 years, 91 days.
A nun by profession, Inah has dedicated her life to teaching and spirituality.
- Elizabeth Francis (USA, 115)
Elizabeth Francis, the oldest living person in the United States, was born on July 25, 1909, in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. At 115 years old, 28 days she stands as the oldest American-born person following the death of Maria Branyas Morera.
Currently residing in Houston, Texas, Francis has lived through significant historical changes and continues to inspire with her longevity. She is the last living American born in the first decade of the 1900s. Known for her vibrant faith and strong family ties
- Ethel May Caterham (UK, 115)
Ethel May Caterham, born on August 21, 1909, in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, is the oldest living person in the United Kingdom and the fourth-oldest person in the world.
At 115 years old, 1 day old, she also holds the title of the oldest living European following the death of Maria Branyas on August 19, 2024. Caterham, who was the second youngest of eight siblings, has lived a full and active life.
She enjoyed a vibrant career, including working as an au pair in British India and setting up a nursery in Hong Kong. A resident of a care home in Lightwater, Surrey, Caterham remains a celebrated figure, known for her longevity and resilience.
- Okagi Hayashi (Japan, 114)
Okagi Hayashi, born on September 2, 1909, in Tsumagi (now Tsumagicho, Toki City), Gifu Prefecture, Japan, is the second-oldest validated living person in Japan, following Tomiko Itooka.
At 114 years, and 355 days old, Hayashi is known for her remarkable longevity and active lifestyle.
Hayashi’s early years were spent in her family’s grain wholesale business. After marrying an elementary school teacher, she took over the family business and raised nine children.
Throughout her life, she has maintained a health-conscious routine, including drinking homemade green juice and exercising regularly.
A skilled calligrapher until her 90s, Hayashi celebrated her 110th birthday in September 2019 and remains a prominent figure in her community. She enjoys reading newspapers and playing puzzle games, demonstrating her sharp mind and zest for life.
The Legacy of Longevity: What It Means to be the World’s Oldest Person
Tomiko Itooka’s new status as the world’s oldest person is more than just a number; it represents a lifetime filled with challenges, achievements, and wisdom that comes with age.
Being the world’s oldest person symbolizes good luck, resilience, the endurance of life’s challenges, and a deep reservoir of wisdom and experience. It reflects a legacy of family and cultural continuity, while also inspiring hope and highlighting the importance of longevity and health.
As the global fascination with longevity continues, Tomiko Itooka and her fellow supercentenarians remind us of the extraordinary possibilities that life holds—even as it stretches into its second century.
