Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who held the title of the world's oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has sadly passed away at the age of 116. She died on December 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan, as confirmed by Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official responsible for elderly policies.

Born on May 23, 1908, Itooka's longevity became widely recognized following the death of Maria Branyas, a 117-year-old from Spain last year. Itooka was delighted to learn she topped the World Supercentenarian Rankings List, simply replying, “Thank you,” when informed.

In her later years, she enjoyed a simple diet that included bananas and Calpis, a popular yogurt-flavored drink in Japan. Known for her sprightly spirit, Itooka climbed the towering 3,067-meter Mount Ontake twice and was an enthusiastic volleyball player in high school.

She married at 20 and was the mother of four children — two sons and two daughters. During World War II, Itooka successfully managed the office of her husband’s textile factory. After his passing in 1979, she lived independently in Nara. Sadly, she is survived by one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren.

A funeral service was conducted privately, attended by family and friends, where her legacy of resilience and hope was honored. According to the Gerontology Research Group, the world's new oldest person is now Inah Canabarro Lucas, a Brazilian nun who was born just 16 days after Itooka.

For more on this story, visit AP News. NPR and BBC have also covered this unfortunate event.