World's Oldest Women Dies at 117 in Japan, Who is the Oldest Now?

The world's oldest person, a Japanese woman who celebrated her 117th birthday less than a month ago, died on Wednesday in Osaka, Japan, according to reports.

Misao Okawa was living in a nursing home and according to the medical team, she had lost her appetite and stopped eating about 10 days ago, the Associated Press reported.

She passed away with her grandson and caregivers by her side, the report noted.

"She went so peacefully, as if she had just fallen asleep," said Tomohiro Okada, an official at the home. "We miss her a lot."

She was known to eat three big meals each day and sleep eight hours every night, according to the head of the retirement home where she lived. He added that Okawa was particularly fond of both sushi and ramen.

"Okawa was born to the family of a kimono shop owner in Osaka in 1898, the same year the United States annexed the Hawaiian Islands and Pepsi-Cola was launched," reports The Japan Times. She had been the world's oldest person since 2013, according to Guinness World Records.

The Associated Press says the title of the world's oldest person now belongs to Gertrude Weaver of Arkansas, who is 116, citing the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group, which keeps records of supercentenarians.

Japan, known for the longevity of its people, is home to the world's oldest man - Sakari Momoi, who celebrated his 112th birthday in February.

In 2013, life expectancy for women in Japan was 86.61, the longest in the world followed by Hong Kong women, according to the health ministry.