World oldest person dies at age of 117

TOKYO: The world's oldest person has died in Japan aged 117, making her the third oldest person ever to live, reported foreign media.

Nabi Tajima passed away on Saturday in hospital where she had been staying since January.

The supercentenarian was born on August 4, 1900, and became the world's oldest person seven months ago after Violet Brown died in Jamaica also aged 117. Nabi had 160 descendants including great-great-great-grandchildren while living in the town of Kikai. She was born in a village on the Japanese island of Kikaijima when Emperor Meiji ruled the country.

Nabi lived through two world wars and put her longevity down to sleeping soundly and eating delicious food.