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Tomiko Itooka
Tomiko Itooka (Japanese: 糸岡 富子, romanized: Itooka Tomiko, born 23 May 1908) is a Japanese supercentenarian who, at the age of 116 years, 217 days, has been the world's oldest verified living person since the death of Maria Branyas of Spain on 19 August 2024.[1][2][3] Itooka became Japan's oldest living person after Fusa Tatsumi died on 12 December 2023.[4] Personal lifeTomiko Itooka was born on 23 May 1908 in Osaka, Empire of Japan. She married Kenji Itooka in 1928, and during World War II, she managed the office of his textile factory. After her husband died in 1979, Itooka lived alone until 1989, when she moved in with her two daughters. During these ten years, she frequently climbed Mount Nijō, summited Mount Ontake twice (while wearing sneakers instead of hiking boots), and also participated in the Osaka 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, which was a pilgrimage to more than 33 temples.[3][5] At the age of 100 in 2008, Itooka successfully climbed each step of Ashiya shrine without any assistance.[6] In 2019 at age 110, she moved to a nursing home in Ashiya, Hyōgo.[citation needed] Health and longevityAs of 2024, Itooka is still able to independently move at age 116, but she mainly uses a wheelchair.[7] When Guinness officially designated her as the world's oldest living person, Itooka simply remarked "thank you".[8] See also
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