LongeviQuest is pleased to confirm that Tomiko Itooka [Japanese: 糸岡富子] recently celebrated her birthday on 23 May 2023 at the age of 115 years old. Mrs. Itooka is the world’s fourth oldest validated living person (behind María Branyas Morera, Fusa Tatsumi, and Edie Ceccarelli), the second oldest validated living person in Japan (behind the Fusa Tatsumi), and the oldest known living person in Hyogo Prefecture.
Tomiko Itooka’s 115th Birthday
Congratulatory flowers sent by her grandson (Source: chikusakai.jp)
She celebrated her 115th Birthday in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan in the company of her family and friends. LongeviQuest had sent her congratulatory flowers alongside different messages and greetings from various people around the world who wishes her well. She was also visited by the Mayor of Ashiya to celebrate with her and provide his message.
From left to right: Mrs. Itooka’s son, Tomiko Itooka, and the Mayor of Ashiya (Source: chikusakai.jp)
Tomiko Itooka’s Biography
Mrs. Itooka was born in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan on 23 May 1908 as the second (eldest daughter) of three siblings. In 1928, she got married to her husband who ran a textile factory in South Korea. They had two daughters and two sons. During World War II, she took over the textile factory, protected a Japanese office, and raised her children by herself.
After her husband died in 1979, she lived alone in her husband’s hometown of Nara Prefecture for about 10 years. During that period, she frequently enjoyed climbing Mt. Nijo, which straddles Nara and Osaka prefectures. She also climbed Mt. Ontake (elevation 3000m), which straddles Nagano and Gifu prefectures, twice. The guide was surprised when she climbed the mountain because she wore ordinary sneakers instead of hiking shoes.
When she was in her 80s, she also participated in the Osaka 33 Kannon Pilgrimage (33 temple pilgrimages) twice. At 100 years old, she climbed the long stone steps of Ashiya Shrine without a cane and worshiped. She often visited the Yakushiji Temple in Nara Prefecture and enjoyed writing sutras.
For more information, please view Tomiko Itooka’s Directory Profile here.
