Japanese Kane Tanaka, born just a year before Russo-Japanese War began and the oldest living person in the world, celebrated her 119th birthday at Fukuoka Prefecture on Sunday.
Tanaka, born Jan. 2nd, 1903 in the prefecture of Nagoya, has been a part of Japan’s Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei, and current Reiwa times, and hopes to reach the age of 120, which is a goal for her right now according to relatives. Some notable persons born during 1903 include British author George Orwell, film director Yasujiro Ozu, and Japanese poetry writer Misuzu Kaneko.
Tanaka was acknowledged by Guinness World Records in March 2019 as the world’s longest-living being at being 116 years old. She also set an all-time Japanese record for an age when she turned 117 more senior and 261 days.
Living in a nursing facility located in Fukuoka, Tanaka interacts with staff members through gestures. She also tests herself by solving number puzzles. Tanaka enjoys chocolate as well as carbonated drinks.
Last September, the centenarian received a bouquet on Respect for the Aged Day by Fukuoka Governor. Seitaro Hattori expressed her joy through a peaceful symbol.
Being the 7th of 9 siblings, Tanaka married at the age of 19. She ran a noodle store to support her family when her husband and her son were fighting at the front of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937.
“I wish to greet her shortly privately,” Tanaka’s 62-year-old grandson, Eiji, said. “I would like to see her stay well and enjoy life every day as she ages. “
Source: JapanTimes
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