The last living man to have been born in the 19th century has died at the age of 116.

Jiroemon Kimura, who was born on April, was not only the world’s oldest person but also the world’s oldest ever living man.

The former postman died in his hospital bed in Kyotango, Japan where he had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

Mr Kimura had been officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person and the oldest man ever.

According to Guinness, Mr Kimura, a former postman, was the first man in history to have lived to 116 years old.

He is survived by seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren, Japanese media said.

The title of oldest living person is now held by another Japanese person, 115-year-old Misao Okawa, of Osaka.

Kyotango officials said Mr Kimura’s funeral would be held Friday.

The town’s mayor Mayor Yasushi Nakayamasaid: ‘Mr Kimura was and will always be a treasure to our town, to our country and to our world.’

According to local media, Kimura ate a three-meal-a-day diet of rice, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.

He reportedly did not smoke and said he only ate until he felt 80 per cent full.

According to one town official his motto in life  was ‘to eat light and live long’.

He celebrated his 116th birthday on April 19 by watching a video message of congratulations from Japan’s prime minister.

 

Tags: Japan