THE oldest man in history has died at the age of 116 in hospital in Japan, the country's government has said.
Ancient Jiroemon Kimura was verified as being the oldest man ever by the Guinness Book of Records in December last year.
When he turned 115 he took up English lessons - to keep his mind occupied.
The former post office worker was a dad of seven, and had 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Presentation ... with officials from record
book
After retiring, he began lending a hand on his son's farm.
Mr Kimura was born in 1897 the same year as aviator Amelia Earhart and the year Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee.
He died in hospital in his hometown of Kyotango after being treated for pneumonia.
He attributed his longevity to getting out in the sunlight. "I am always looking up towards the sky. That is how I am,” he said.
The title of oldest living person is now held by a Japanese woman, 115-year-old Misao Okawa.
"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."
Mr Kimura’s funeral is set to be held Friday.
“Mr Kimura was and will always be a treasure to our town, to our country and to our world,” said Kyotango Mayor Yasushi Nakayama. LOOD Naija
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