A Japanese woman believed to be the oldest person in the world has died at the age of 116.
Tomiko Itooka passed away on December 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan, according to staff.
Guinness World Records recognised her as the world’s oldest human in August last year after 117-year-old Maria Branyas died in Spain.
Tomiko put her long life down to a love of bananas and a Japanese yoghurt drink called Calpis, while her family say her passion for hiking no doubt played a part.
She even scaled a mountain at the age of 100 and has climbed the 10,062ft Mount Ontake twice.
She was also a keen volleyball player in high school.
Tomiko was born in Osaka on May 23, 1908 and married at 20, before giving birth to two daughters and two sons, according to Guinness.
She managed the office of her husband’s textile factory during the Second World War and after he died in 1979 lived alone in Nara.
Guinness officials said shewas known for her sprightly spirit
Tomiko outlived two of her children and is survived by one son and one daughter and five grandchildren.
A funeral service was held with family and friends.
The world’s oldest person is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Tomik, according to Guinness.
The world’s oldest man is also currently a Brazilian, 112-year-old João Marinho Neto, who took the title after 112-year-old Brit John Tinniswood passed away in Southport in November.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
