World’s Oldest Person, Japan’s Kane Tanaka, Dies at 119

The world’s oldest verified living person, Kane Tanaka of Japan, has died at age 119. Ms. Tanaka died of old age in Fukuoka on April 19. 

Guinness World Records named Ms. Tanaka as the world’s oldest living person in March 2019, and she held the title for more than three years. 

Ms. Tanaka was born on January 2, 1903, which was before the Wright brothers flew the first powered airplane. She would go on to marry her cousin, Hideo Tanaka at the age of 19. 

When Japan and China went to war in 1937, Ms. Tanaka’s husband and eldest son joined the fight, which pushed her to got more involved in her family’s business. 

Ms. Tanaka loved chocolate and carbonated drinks. Her motto was “Don’t give up and say there’s no point. Live with all your heart.” 

See Chieko Tsuneoka, World’s Oldest Person, Japan’s Kane Tanaka, Dies at 119, The Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2021. 

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Florida Probate Attorney) for bringing this article to my attention.

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