World's oldest person, a Japanese woman, dies at 117

TOKYO - The world's oldest person, a 117-year-old Japanese woman, has died.

Chiyo Miyako died on Sunday, the prefectural government of Kanagawa, her home state south of Tokyo, confirmed on Friday.

Miyako, born on May 2, 1901, became the world's oldest person in April after Nabi Tajima from the Kikai island in southern Japan died at age 117.

Mayako's family said they called her "the goddess" and remembered her as a chatty person who was patient and kind to others, according to Guinness World Records that certified her title. Miyako enjoyed calligraphy, which she had practiced until recently, and loved eating sushi and eel, Guinness said.

Guinnes said the successor to her world record is yet to be confirmed.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said that 115-year-old Kane Tanaka of Fukuoka, southern Japan, is the new oldest person.

The world's oldest man, Masazo Nonaka of Hokkaido in northern Japan, celebrated his 113rd birthday Wednesday.

AP