Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, passed away on December 29th at the age of 116, a representative of the city of Ashiya in Hyogo Prefecture announced on Saturday. The funeral was held privately with close family.

The supercentenarian, whose age was verified by the Gerontology Research Group, reportedly died of natural causes in the nursing home where she had spent her final years.

Ms. Itooka was born on May 23, 1908, in Osaka. During World War II, she managed the office of her husband's textile factory, located in what is now South Korea. She is survived by a son and a daughter, as well as five grandchildren.

She inherited the title of the world's oldest living person in August of last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas of Spain. The world's oldest living person is now Brazilian nun Ina Canabarro Lucas, who is 16 days younger than the late Ms. Itooka.

ORIENT