Zingisa Chirwa4 January 2025 | 12:33
World’s oldest person dies at 116 years old
According to a statement, the Ashiya resident died on 29 December. She is survived by four children and five grandchildren.
Picture: Pixabay.com
JOHANNESBURG - The world's oldest person, 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka from Japan, has passed away.
According to a statement, the Ashiya resident died on 29 December.
She is survived by four children and five grandchildren.
Born on 23 May 1908, Itooka was recognised as the oldest person in the world after the death of Spain's 117-year-old Maria Morera in August 2024.
Japan is known for its high life expectancy, particularly among women.
However, the country is now facing a demographic crisis, with a growing elderly population leading to rising medical and welfare costs, coupled with a shrinking workforce to support it.