The oldest of humanity, Kane Tanaka, just celebrated her 119th birthday in Japan

Considered the oldest of humanity, Kane Tanaka celebrated her 119th birthday this Sunday. This Japanese woman is the oldest person in the world since 2019, entering the Guinness Book of Records, reports Le Figaro.

In 2020, at the age of 117 years and 261 days, Kane Tanaka broke the longevity record in Japan, adds The Guardian. Emilio Duanes Duvarcer, considered the dean of humanity in Cuba, died in June 2021 at the age of 120, but no documents have proven his true age. He had therefore never been recognized as the dean of mankind.

[Great achievement]Reached 119 years old ????

I was able to safely reach the age of 119!
It’s been 22 years since Sarah Knauss reached the age of 119 ????

This is the latest photo of Kako ????
It was when my relatives went to see me in December.

I was able to come this far with the support of many people ????
I hope you will continue to have fun, cheerful and energetic ???? pic.twitter.com/K38jXDTIQ3

— Kane Tanaka (@ tanakakane0102) January 1, 2022

More and more centenarians in Japan

Kane Tanaka lives in a retirement home in southwestern Japan. She intends to keep her title of dean and celebrate her 120th birthday next year, according to Japanese media. The number of centenarians is increasing in the country. In 2021, the Ministry of Health counted 86,510, or 6,060 more than in 2019. They are mainly women.

With nearly 30% of the population over 65, aging is a real problem in Japan. At the same time, births are drastically declining. Japan could thus lose many inhabitants in the coming years. According to one projection, the Japanese could be only 87 million in 2060, against 126 million in 2019.