World's oldest woman celebrates 117th birthday with 92-year-old son and grandchildren

The world's oldest person began her 117th birthday celebrations one day early as she blew out her candles surrounded by family and friends. Misao Ohkawa, who lives in a nursing home in the western Japanese city of Osaka, was actually born on March 5, but her official party kicked off today.

Ohkawa was officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the oldest person alive in 2013 when Jiroemon Kimura - also of Japan - died in June 2013 at age 116 years, 54 days.

She appeared before local media, wearing a pink floral kimono as she posed with her 92-year old son and two-year old great-grandson.

Japanese media did not explain why she was celebrating her birthday a day early.

The mayor of the city wished her a happy birthday with flowers as she spent her special day with her nearest and dearest.

But when she was asked about the secrets of her longevity, she said she had no clue. "No idea," she said. In previous years, she had replied "sleep and eat well".

Born to a clothing merchant in 1898, Ohkawa married in 1919 and had three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Japanese media report that she's never had major illnesses in her life, and only travels in a wheelchair to prevent her from falling over. Japan has more than 58,000 centenarians, according to government data released in September 2014 - 4,000 more than last year.

...DailyMirror