THE OLDEST man in the world has revealed the secret to a long life-- but it's something some us might struggle with!
112-year-old Chitetsu Watanabe, from Niigata in Japan, was yesterday officially named as the World's Oldest Man by Guinness World Records at the age of 112 years and 344 days.
Representatives from the World Records organisation descended on the nursing home in which Mr Watanabe resides, and presented him with an official certificate recognising his achievement.
The 112-year-old has led an incredible life, having been born in Niigata in 1907 as the oldest of eight children before going on to work in agriculture in Taiwan and eventually serving in the Pacific War in 1944.
When Mr Watanabe returned to Niigata with his wife and children, however, things got tough. According to Yoko Watanabe, wife of Mr Watanabe's first son, "getting to places and sourcing food was a struggle. Having to live under that circumstance with four young children must have been tough".
TOPSHOT - In this Japan Pool picture received via Jiji Press on February 12, 2020, 112-year-old Japanese man Chitetsu Watanabe poses next to calligraphy reading in Japanese 'World Number One' after he was awarded as the world's oldest living male in Joetsu, Niigata prefecture. - The 112-year-old Japanese man who believes smiling is the key to longevity has been recognised as the world's oldest male, Guinness World Records said on February 12. (Photo by JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS / AFP) / Japan OUT /But Mr Watanabe and his family were tough, too: the Niigata native got back into the agriculture industry, and even after he retired he built a new family home with his son where he farmed all sorts of fruits and vegetables in the garden-- until he was 104 years old!
When asked in an interview last year about the secret to a long life, Mr Watanabe said to keep smiling and never get angry-- which is much easier said than done, but it seems to be working for him!
Yoko Watanabe explained Mr Watanabe's comments further when asked by Guinness representatives, and said that despite living with him for over 50 years she has never once seen him raise his voice or get angry.
Mr Watanabe is close to breaking the record of the oldest man ever.
The current title is held by another Japanese man, Jiroemon Kimura, who was 116 years old when he passed away.
Mr Watanabe will turn 113 next month, 5 March, and we're wondering-- does that technically make him a teenager again?
The world's oldest living woman, Kane Tanaka, recently celebrated her 117th birthday.
