TOKYO: A Japanese woman, believed to be the world’s oldest person, has died at the age of 116, according to German news agency dpa, which cited a report by Japanese public television station NHK on Saturday.
Tomiko Itooka died of old age in a retirement home on December 29, NHK said, citing the city council of Ashiya in the southern Hyogo prefecture.
She was born on May 23, 1908 in Osaka, the oldest of three siblings, before moving to Ashiya about 30 years ago, according to NHK.
Itooka was listed by the Guinness World Records as the oldest living person.
"During her long life, she has given us much courage and hope. We thank her once again and offer our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones," the television station quoted Ashiya's mayor Ryosuke Takashima as saying.
Japan's population is ageing rapidly.
As of September last year, the country counted a record number of more than 95,100 people aged 100 or older. This marked the 54th consecutive year that the number of centenarians has increased.
