There are many recipes for a long life, but the best tips can be obtained from those who have managed to become ancient.
Tokyo (dpa) - The officially oldest man in the world lives in Japan. At 112 years and - as of Wednesday - 344 days, Chitetsu Watanabe from the northern prefecture of Niigata was the oldest living man, said the Guinness Book of Records.
The 1907-born received a certificate of his title on Wednesday in his retirement home in Joetsu. The previous title holder, who died at the age of 113 at the end of January, also lived in Japan, as did the oldest living woman, who is now the oldest person on earth at 117.
Chitetsu Watanabe revealed the secret of his longevity, according to the Guinness Book 2019 of a local newspaper: You shouldn't get angry and always keep a smile on your face. In the meantime, the pensioner is no longer as active as it used to be, the message said. But up until last summer he continued to do sports and math exercises every day and devoted himself to origami folding and calligraphy.
As the firstborn of eight children, Watanabe can look back on a life that is sometimes full of work and deprivation. He attended an agricultural school, served the Japanese military in World War II, and then worked until retirement in the agricultural administration of his home in Niigata.
Until old age, he provided his family with private fruit and vegetable growing. According to the news agency Kyodo, after five children, twelve grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, there is now also a first great-great-grandchild. His 113th birthday is due on March 5.
Guinness World Records the oldest man in the world