World’s oldest person dies at 117

Nabi Tajima, a 117-year old Japanese woman, thought to be the world’s oldest person, who was born on 4 August 1900, died around 11pm last night (Irish time) at a hospital on her native Kikai Island in the Kagoshima region, according to Susumu Yoshiyuki, a health and welfare official.

Tajima was the last known person born in the 19th century. She raised seven sons and two daughters and reportedly had more than 160 descendants, including great-great-great grandchildren.

She became the world’s oldest person after the death in September of Violet Brown of Jamaica, also at the age of 117.

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Video on Japanese television showed Tajima moving her hands to the beat of music played on traditional Japanese instruments at a ceremony to mark the achievement.

Japan is known for the longevity of its people and has been home to several oldest title holders.

There are around 68,000 people aged 100 or older in the country, the government said last year.

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