World's oldest person Kane Tanaka dies in Japan at age 119

A Japanese woman certified the world's oldest person has died at the age of 119.

Local officials announced on Monday that Kane Tanaka died on April 19 after being in relatively good health until recently.

She was born January 2, 1903 in the southwestern Fukuoka region of Japan — the same year the Wright brothers flew for the first time and Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

Before her death, Tanaka lived at a nursing home where she enjoyed board games, solving maths problems, soda and chocolate.

Local governor Seitaro Hattori hailed Tanaka's life after she passed away.

"I was looking forward to seeing Kane-san on this year's Respect for the Aged Day (a national holiday in September) and celebrating together with her favourite soda and chocolate," he said in a statement on Monday.

"I am extremely saddened by the news."

Guinness World Records holder

In her younger years, Tanaka ran various businesses including a noodle shop and a rice cake store. She married Hideo Tanaka a century ago in 1922, giving birth to four children and adopting a fifth.

She had planned to use a wheelchair to take part in the torch relay for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but the pandemic prevented her from doing so.

When the Guinness World Records recognised her as the oldest person alive in 2019, she was asked what moment she was the most happy in life. Her answer: "Now."

Her daily routine was described at the time as including a 6:00 am wake-up, and afternoons spent studying mathematics and practising calligraphy.

"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," Guinness said.

The oldest-ever living person verified by Guinness was Frenchwoman Jeanne Louise Calment, who died aged 122 years and 164 days in 1997.

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