The oldest of humanity, the Japanese Tomiko Itooka, died at 116 years old

Tomiko Itooka during the celebration of her 116th birthday, in the retirement home where she ended her life, in Ashiya, on May 23, 2024. AP The oldest person in the world, the Japanese Tomiko Itooka, died at age 116, the Japanese town of Ashiya, where she lived, announced on Saturday January 4. Ms. Itooka, who had four children and five grandchildren, died on December 29 in the residence for the elderly where she had resided since 2019, the mayor of Ashiya said in a press release. Born on May 23, 1908 in Osaka, not far from Ashiya, she was identified as the oldest of humanity after the death, in August 2024, of the Spaniard Maria Branyas Morera at the age of 117. “Ms. Itooka gave us courage and hope throughout her long life,” commented Ashiya Mayor Ryosuke Takashima. “We thank her for that,” added the 27-year-old elected official. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers 110 years and over: the extreme longevity of “supercentenarians” Read later Wars, pandemics and technological revolutions Coming from a family of three children, volleyball player in her youth, she has experienced wars, pandemics and revolutions technological. In her old age, she was fond of bananas and Calpis, a drink made from lactic ferments very popular in Japan, according to the town hall press release. Japan is currently experiencing a demographic crisis, with its elderly population increasing and its working population, which finances increased medical and social costs, decreasing. As of September, Japan had more than 95,000 centenarians, 88% of them women. Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers These amateur demographic detectives who “track” supercentenarians Read later Le Monde with AFP Reuse this content



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