Japanese woman, who was world’s oldest person, dies aged 116

She enjoyed climbing as a hobby for most of her life and played volleyball in her younger years.

According to the Japan Times, Tomiko Itooka died on December 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.

She became the world's oldest person just last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas in Spain.

Ms Itooka had been a keen climber throughout her life, and had ascended the 10,062ft Mount Ontake twice, according to Gerontology Research Group.

When Itooka celebrated her birthday last year, she received flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor.

When she was told she was at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List, she simply replied, “Thank you.”

She married at 20, and had two daughters and two sons.

Itooka managed the office of her husband’s textile factory during World War II. She lived alone in Nara after her husband died in 1979.

She is survived by one son and one daughter, and five grandchildren.

According to the Gerontology Research Group, the world's oldest person is now 116-year-old Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born 16 days after Itooka.