Tomiko Itookaa Japanese woman from 116 years recognized as the oldest person in the world, died of natural causesreported this Saturday the city council of the city of Ashiya, in western Japan, where he lived.
Itooka, born on May 23, 1908 in the city of Osaka (west), died on December 29 at the Ashiya nursing home where he lived.
The woman, who was the eldest of three brothers, became the oldest living person in Japan in December 2023 after the death of Fusa Tatsumianother 116-year-old Japanese woman who lived in Kashiwara, also on the western slope of the archipelago.
Afterwards, She was recognized as the oldest living person in the world for him Guinness Book of Records in September 2024, after the death of the woman who had held that condition, the Spanish Maria Branyas Morerawho died at the age of 117 in Olot, province of Gerona.
According to municipal authorities, Itooka had lived in Ashiya for about 30 years.
The mayor of the town, Ryosuke Takashimapublished a statement picked up by Japanese radio and television NHK in which he offers his condolences to his family and thanks the woman for choosing the town to spend the last years of her life.
“Mrs. Itooka gave us much courage and hope throughout her long life”, explains the text.
One of the factors that has aroused the most curiosity about Tomiko Itooka It was his diet, which has remained simple but consistent for decades. Every day, Itooka consumed bananas and a yogurt flavored drink known as Calpisproducts that, according to her, have been key to her longevity and well-being.
The banana was one of Itooka’s favorite foods and a constant in his daily diet. This fruit, rich in potassium, fiber y vitaminsis known for its health benefits, such as regulating blood pressure, improving digestion and providing sustained energy. The choice of banana as a staple food underlines the idea that natural, unprocessed foods can have a positive impact on health and longevity.
Calpison the other hand, is a popular fermented drink in Japan that combines milk with lactic acid bacteria. It has been consumed for over a century and is known for its potential benefits for digestion and the immune system. Tomiko drank Calpis every daywhich could have contributed to their digestive well-being and strengthened their overall health.
These simple eating habits, far from complicated diets or modern recommendations, have led many to reflect on the power of simplicity in eating and the impact of a balanced diet on longevity.
Beyond his diet, another of the habits that marked the life of Tomiko Itooka It was his love for sports and physical activity. Surprisingly, he began to practice mountaineering in his seventh decade of life. This activity, which requires physical endurance, concentration and determination, was not just a hobby for Itooka, but a way to challenge the limits of his body and spirit.
Among the mountains that he managed to climb is the Monte Ontakeone of the highest peaks in Japan at 3,067 meters high. In a feat that surprised many, Itooka completed this ascent wearing running shoes instead of traditional hiking boots. At 100 years old, he climbed the long and challenging stone steps of the Sanctuary Ashiya without the help of a cane, thus demonstrating his impressive physical ability and balance.
Furthermore, at the age of 80, he participated in the pilgrimage of the 33 Kannon de Osakaan extensive tour of 33 temples that highlighted their physical endurance and spiritual devotion.
