The world's oldest man celebrated his 115th birthday at his home in Kyotango, Kyoto Prefecture, on Thursday.
"It is the result of the blessing from the sun. I look up at the sky every day," said Jiroemon Kimura, when asked about the secret to his long life. He then put his hands together and said, "Thank you," in English.
Kimura said he occasionally reads newspapers "not to lose track of things going on these days."
According to the Kyotango Municipal Government, Kimura needs help to eat and get out of bed each day. He lives with his eldest son's 83-year-old wife and the 59-year-old wife of his grandchild. He has 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Holding his 11-month-old great-great-grandson Akikazu Oda on his lap, Kimura said, "When I hold a sweet child, I feel like I'm in heaven."
