A resident of Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, on Friday became the world's longest-living man, reaching the age of 115 years and 253 days to surpass the previous Guinness record by one day, city officials said.
Guinness World Records postponed handing Jiroemon Kimura a certificate to this effect at his home because he has recently fallen ill and will remain hospitalized over New Year's, they said.
The previous male record holder was a U.S. resident originally from Denmark who died at 115 years and 252 days in 1998. The longest-lived woman was from France and died at 122 years and 164 days in 1997.
Kimura became the world's oldest living person earlier this month upon the death of a 115-year-old woman in Iowa. Born April 19, 1897, he became a postal worker and later worked as a farmer until he turned about 90.
Kimura has 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
