Japanese confirmed as world's oldest living man aged 112

Hot baths and a daily paper are the secret to a long life it seems
Hot baths and a daily paper are the secret to a long life it seems

Masazo Nonaka from Japan was recognised Tuesday as the world's oldest man at the ripe old age of 112, as his family revealed his secret: sweets and hot baths.

Nonaka, who was born on July 25, 1905—just months before Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity—received a certificate from Guinness World Records at home on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.

The supercentenarian lives with his family, which manages a inn.

"He needs a wheelchair to move but he is in good condition," said Yuko Nonaka, his granddaughter.

"He loves eating any kinds of sweets—Japanese or western style," she told AFP.

"He reads newspapers everyday and often soaks in the hot springs."

He has seven brothers and one sister who live nearby in the town of Ashoro on Hokkaido.

He married Hatsuno in 1931 and the couple had five children, according to Guinness World Records.

Nonaka has officially taken the title after Francisco Nunez Olivera from Spain died in February aged 113, the organisation said.

Guinness World Records is currently investigating possible contenders for the title of oldest living person as no one has been recognised since Violet Brown from Jamaica died in July 2017, aged 117.

Japan, known for the longevity of its people, has been home to several oldest title holders, including Jiroemon Kimura, who died in June 2013 at the age of 116.

There are around 68,000 people aged 100 or older in the country, the government said last year.

© 2018 AFP

Citation: Japanese confirmed as world's oldest living man aged 112 (2018, April 10) retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-04-japanese-world-oldest-aged.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

'World's oldest man' dies in Spain aged 113

4 shares

Feedback to editors