A 115-year-old Kyoto Prefecture man has become the oldest living person in the world after an American woman, also 115, passed away Monday, according to Guinness World Records.
Jiroemon Kimura of Kyotango was born on April 19, 1897, 15 days later than the American woman, Dina Manfredini, who lived in Iowa. Kimura has been recognized by Guinness as the world's oldest man since last year.
Kimura worked at a post office until age 65 and engaged in agriculture until he was 90. He currently lives with the wives of his son and grandson, according to the Kyotango Municipal Government.
He has 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Kimura's personal motto is "Eat light to live long" and he has said he believes the key to his longevity is to be a healthy, small eater. "Not eating much, without likes or dislikes," he said.
According to the local government responding on behalf of his family, Kimura lives an orderly life, going to bed early and rising early, and enjoys his meals while talking with his family.
He was taken ill Saturday and was hospitalized as a precaution but is recovering, it said.
When a Guinness official paid a visit in October, Kimura was delighted and said "Thank you very much" in English and even sang his favorite traditional Japanese dance song.