The oldest person in the world died at the age of 119

A Japanese woman certified as the oldest person in the world died at the age of 119, local authorities reported Monday.

Kane Tanaka was born on January 2, 1903 in the Fukuoka region of southwestern Japan, six months before George Orwell, the same year the Wright brothers first flew and Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

Tanaka was in relatively good health until recently and lived in a nursing home, where he enjoyed board games, mathematical problem-solving, soda and chocolate.

In his younger years he had several businesses, including a noodle shop and a rice cake shop. He married Hideo Tanaka a century ago, in 1922, with whom he had four children and adopted a fifth. He lived five Japanese imperial reigns.

He had planned to use a wheelchair to participate in the torch relay of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but the pandemic prevented him from doing so.

When the Guinness World Records recognized her as the oldest living person in 2019, she was asked when she was happiest in her life. She replied, “Now.”

His daily routine was then described as an awakening at 6:00am, and afternoons spent studying mathematics and practicing calligraphy.

“One of Kane's favorite pastimes is a game of Othello and she has become an expert in the classic board game, often winning over the residence staff,” Guinness said.

Local governor Seitaro Hattori highlighted Tanaka's life after his death on April 19.

“I was looking forward to seeing Kane on this year's Respect for Elders Day (a national holiday in September) and celebrating it together with his favorite soft drink and chocolate. I am greatly saddened by the news,” he said in a statement on Monday.

According to World Bank data, Japan is the country with the longest living population in the world, with 28% of people aged 65 and over.

In an estimate released in September ahead of the annual Day of Respect for the Elderly, the Ministry of Health said that a record 86,510 people were 100 years old or older, an increase of 6,060 from the previous year.

Women make up the vast majority of centenarians, and men make up just over 10,000, the ministry said.

The oldest living person verified by Guinness was the Frenchwoman Jeanne Louise Calment, who died at the age of 122 and 164 days in 1997.

(With information from AFP)

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