Japanese Woman Who Was Oldest In The World Has Died

A Japanese woman who was the oldest person in the world has died at the age of 119.

Kane Tanaka is said to have passed away last week while in hospital, according to Metro.

Back in 2019, Guinness World Records confirmed Tanaka was the oldest living person on the planet and presented her with certificates at her home.

Tanaka is the second oldest woman to have ever lived after Jeanne Celment, from France, who died at the age of 122 in 1997.

Born on 2 January, 1903, Tanaka lived through most of the 20th century and well into the next, witnessing the transformation of Japan from an empire state into the modern country we know today.

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From Japan’s war against Russia and China to the enactment of the Constitution of Japan at the end of WWII, Tanaka survived it all.

Born in Fukuoka, Tanaka had five children and was married to her husband for 71 years until his death at the age of 90 in 1993.

She was the seventh of nine siblings and married at the age of 19 before running a noodle shop when her husband and eldest son fought in 1937’s Second Sino-Japanese War.

Tanaka celebrated her 119th birthday in January at the Fukuoka nursing home she lived in, and speaking to Kyodo news agency about his gran’s big day, Eiji, 62, said at the time: "I would like to personally congratulate her soon. I hope she remains healthy and has fun everyday as she grows older."

Sharing the news of Tanaka’s incredible achievement at the time, a spokesperson for the Guinness World Records revealed the supercentenarian had gobbled down a box of chocolates to celebrate. 

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They also offered an insight into Tanaka’s daily routine, writing: “She normally wakes up at 6am and in the afternoon often studies subjects such as maths. 

“One of Kane's favourite pastimes is a game of Othello and she's become an expert at the classic board game, often beating rest-home staff.”

The spokesperson continued: “During the presentation ceremony, Kane was given a box of chocolates which she immediately opened and started eating. 

“Later she was asked how many chocolates she wants to eat today, and replied ‘100’.”

According to Wikipedia, Tanaka’s death means that 118-year-old Lucile Randon is now the oldest living woman on planet earth.

Born in France in 1904, Randon was a catholic nun who also worked as teacher. She’s also the oldest known survivor of Covid-19, having tested positive for the virus just days before her 117th birthday.

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