Ammon News - A 116-year-old Japanese woman is the heir apparent to the title of the world’s oldest living person, a research group has said.

Tomiko Itooka, born on May 23, 1908, lives in the western Japanese city of Ashiya in the Hyogo province.

A former mountaineer, she is 116 years and 3 months old, the Gerontology Research Group, based in Los Angeles, California, said in a statement.

Tomiko’s candidacy for a Guinness World Records Oldest Person title comes after Maria Branyas, former holder of the crown, died on Monday at the age of 117.

Anadolu Agency