(CNN) — Kane Tanaka, the oldest living person in the world, turned 119 this Sunday, as published in Twitter his great-granddaughter Junko Tanaka.
“Great achievement. (Kane Tanaka) turned 119,” Junko tweeted, along with a photograph of her great-grandmother, whom she visited in December. “I hope you continue to live life joyfully and fully,” he added.
[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
Junko shared an image on Twitter of two commemorative Coca-Cola bottles given to Tanaka for her birthday. The labels were personalized with his name and age.
“1st Birthday Present: We present the gifts received for Kane’s birthday. We really appreciate this gift. The Coca-Cola company made a commemorative birthday bottle. It seems (Kane) is still drinking Coca-Cola as usual.” tweeted Junko.
Junko spoke to CNN in March 2021 when her great-grandmother was preparing to carry the Olympic torch before the postponed Summer Olympics of Tokyo 2020. The great-granddaughter created the Twitter account in January 2020 to commemorate Tanaka’s life.
“It might not be unbiased because I’m a relative of her, but I think it’s an amazing thing. I wanted to share that with the world and make people feel inspired and feel her joy,” Junko said.
Born in 1903, Tanaka married a rice shop owner at the age of 19. He worked in the family business until he was 103 years old.
Tanaka has lived through a multitude of historical events: survived two world wars and to the Spanish flu of 1918. His life spans 49 Olympic Games Summer and Winter.
“I don’t remember her talking about the past much … She is very progressive, she really enjoys living in the present,” Eiji Tanaka, Tanaka’s grandson, told CNN last year.
Tanaka lives in a nursing home in the prefecture of Fukuoka. His family said that he keeps his mind and body active doing math and fueling curiosity.
The Guinness Book of World Records recognized her as the oldest living person in the world in 2019.
In September 2021, the Spanish Saturnino de la Fuente García became the oldest living man at 112 years old. He was born in 1909, and survived the Spanish Civil War, working as a shoemaker.
De la Fuente García said that the secret to a long life is: “A quiet life … and not hurting anyone,” according to a release Guinness World Records Release
Tanaka received congratulatory messages from Twitter users on her birthday.
“It’s amazing that at 119 years old I can look directly at the camera and make a peace sign,” He said Twitter user @TuNatoron.
“Congratulations! Please always stay healthy”, He said Mee-san, another Twitter user.