Born in Osaka on May 23, 1908, Tomiko Itooka became the world’s oldest living person only in late August 2024, following the death of former title holder Maria Branyas Morera of Spain, who died at the age of 117.

Itooka passed away on December 29 at a nursing home in Ashiya, a city in Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture, where she had lived since 2019.

Her funeral was held on Saturday.

Despite her advanced age, she enjoyed relatively good health, remaining physically active throughout her life, reported Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

In her youth, she played volleyball and hiked mountains, twice climbing Mount Ontake, which rises over 3,000 meters above sea level.

Even after turning 100, she frequently walked to local temples.

The city’s mayor Ryosuke Takashima expressed condolences to her family and loved ones, saying: “Mrs. Itooka gave us tremendous courage and hope throughout her long life.”

Itooka married at the age of 20 and had two daughters and two sons with her husband, who passed away nearly 50 years ago. She is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren.

The title of the world’s oldest living person now belongs to 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born just 16 days after Itooka.

Itooka had also held the title of Japan’s oldest citizen since December 2023, succeeding her predecessor, Fusa Tatsumi, who also lived to 116.