TOKYO, Sept. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The world's oldest person, Kamato Hongo, a resident of Southwest Japan city of Kagoshima, celebrated her 116th birthday Tuesday.

　　Born in 1887 in the town of Isen on Tokunoshima Island, Hongo became Japan's oldest person in 1999 when she turned 111.

　　With the death of a 115-year-old American woman in March last year, Hongo became the world's oldest person, according to a report of Kyodo News.

　　While she is in good health, Hongo is staying in the same room with her 79-year-old daughter Shizue Kurauchi, who has been hospitalized for frail health.

　　Her family said that Hongo loves rice and miso soup and sometimes "dances" with her hands to the traditional music of Tokunoshima Island.

　　Around 140 people gathered to celebrate an early birthday party held in late August, although Hongo slept through it all, according to Kurauchi. Enditem