Jiroemon Kimura, who had been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person and the oldest man ever, died Wednesday of natural causes. He was 116.
Kimura, of Kyotango, Japan, who was born April 19, 1897 - the same year as American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart.Officials in Kyotango said he died in a local hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia.
According to Guinness, Kimura was the first man in history to have lived to 116 years old. However, he was well off the all-time record set by French woman Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 at the age of 122, making her the longest living person in history.
The centenarian had seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grand children and 14 great-great grandchildren, and worked at a post office for about 40 years. After retiring he took up farming which he continued to do until the age of 90.
Kimura became the oldest man ever on December 28, 2012, at the age of 115 years, 253 days, breaking the record set by Christian Mortensen, a Danish immigrant to the United States, whose life spanned from 1882-1998.
The title of oldest living person is now held by another Japanese, 115-year-old Misao Okawa, of Osaka. Ms Okawa was born March 5, 1898.
"Jiroemon Kimura was an exceptional person,'' said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records. "As the only man to have ever lived for 116 years - and the oldest man whose age has been fully authenticated - he has a truly special place in world history.''
Kyotango officials said Kimura's funeral would be held Friday.
"Mr. Kimura was and will always be a treasure to our town, to our country and to our world,'' said Mayor Yasushi Nakayama.
The new oldest living man, according to the US-based Gerontology Research Group, is James McCoubrey, and American who was born in Canada on Sept. 13, 1901. Now 111 years old, he is the 32nd-oldest living person according to GRG's list, which shows all those older than him are women.
Encouraged by Kimura and 94 other people in Kyotango's 60,000-strong population who will this year be 100 years old or more, the city has launched a research project to examine their diets and find the secrets of their longevity.
maryjane
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