Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman, became the world�s oldest living person at age 116,�following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the�Guinness World Records.

Her age and birthdate � May 23, 1908 � were confirmed by the�Gerontology Research Group, which validates details of people thought to be 110 or older, and put her at the top of its World Supercentenarian Rankings List.

Itooka lives in a nursing home in the city of Ashiya, a city in Hyogo Prefecture that also confirmed her birthdate. She assumed the title of world’s oldest person after Branyas’ family announced the 117-year-old’s death Tuesday. Guinness confirmed Itooka’s new status on Thursday.