World's oldest living person honored on Respect for the Aged Day

Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The oldest person alive was honored on Japan's Respect for the Aged Day.

Tomiko Itooka, now 116 years old, became the world's eldest living resident after Maria Branyas Morera died. Morera had been 117 years old.

Itooka outlived her husband, who died in 1979. Her son, Hiroshi Kai, said his mother liked spending time on her own, climbing mountains.

She didn't slow down after turning 80, completing a Buddhist pilgrimage that included visits to some 33 temples.

She didn't use a walking cane when visiting a shrine after her 100th birthday.

We were delighted to present Tomiko Itooka with her certificate for being the oldest living person earlier today.

She's 116 years and 116 days old. pic.twitter.com/v7nFw6Ftm3 — Guinness World Records (@GWR) September 16, 2024

Guinness World Records noted that, in addition to being the oldest human alive today, she is also ranks 23 in the list of oldest humans to ever exist .