A Japanese woman believed to have been the world’s oldest person, has died aged 119
Kane Tanaka died at a hospital around a week ago but it’s only just been reported by Japanese broadcasters.
She was in relatively good health but passed away of old age.
Tanaka was born in 1903, which is the same year Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize and the Wright Brothers took to the skies for the first time.
The Local Governor says he is extremely saddened by her death.
“I was looking forward to seeing Kane-san on this year’s Respect for the Aged Day and celebrating together with her favourite soda and chocolate.”
LOCAL GOVERNOR Seitaro Hattori
Tanaka enjoyed playing board games and solving maths problems.
She had been set to join last year’s Tokyo Olympics in the torch relay but pulled out because of COVID-19 concerns.
In her youth, Tanaka was known for her noodle and rice cake store. She had four children of her own and reportedly adopted a fifth.
Tanaka’s death means French nun, Sister Andre, becomes the world’s oldest person at 118.
