Asia

Japanese woman turns 117 years old, extends record as world’s oldest person

TOKYO: Kane Tanaka has extended her record as the world's oldest person by celebrating her 117th birthday at a nursing home in Fukuoka in southern Japan.

Tanaka marked her birthday with a party on Sunday (Jan 5) along with staff and friends at the nursing home, television footage from local broadcaster TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting Co showed.

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Tanaka, whose birthday was on Jan 2, took a bite from a slice of her big birthday cake. "Tasty," she said with a smile. "I want some more."

Tanaka was last year confirmed as the oldest living person, aged 116 years 66 days old as of Mar 9, according to Guinness World Records.

FILE PHOTO: 116-year-old Japanese woman Kane Tanaka holds a Guinness World Records certificate naming her as the world's oldest person living during a ceremony in Fukuoka, Japan March 9, 2019. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

Tanaka's record age is symbolic of Japan's fast-ageing population, which coupled with its falling birthrate is raising concerns about labour shortages and prospects for future economic growth.

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The number of babies born in Japan fell an estimated 5.9 per cent last year to

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