The World’s Oldest Person, Kane Tanaka, Has Died at 119

Kane Tanaka, a Japanese woman who in 2019 was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest person, has died at the age of 119, CBS News reports.

Tanaka, who was born on January 2, 1903, in the southwestern Fukuoka region of Japan, passed away last Tuesday, according to a statement released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

The Guinness World Records took to Twitter Monday morning to confirm the news, writing, “We’re sad to report that Kane Tanaka has passed away at the age of 119. Kane was the oldest living person in the world.”

“She became the oldest living person in January 2019 at the age of 116 years and 28 days,” Guinness added. “She is also the second oldest person ever recorded, behind only Jeanne Calment who lived to the age of 122.”

Local governor Seitaro Hattori celebrated Tanaka’s life in a statement released on Monday, per CBS News.

“I am extremely saddened by the news,” Hattori said. “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 favorite soda and chocolate.”