World’s oldest man dies in Japan at the age of 112

TOKYO (AP) – The world’s oldest man, a retired educator from Japan, has died at the age of 112, an official said Tuesday.

Momoi taught agricultural chemistry and was a principal at public high schools in Saitama and Fukushima prefectures, Kyodo news agency quoted municipal officials as saying. In 1928, he married (the late) Ms. Tamiko and had 5 children.

For some perspective, that same year Teddy Roosevelt was president, the Wright Brothers flew their debut flight and baseball’s first official World Series was held.

Reading, especially Chinese poetry, was his passion.

At the time of receiving his certificate from Guinness, he had said that he “wanted to live for about two more years”. He also enjoyed traveling around Japan with his wife, who is no more.

The supercentenarian has stated that eating healthy and getting plenty of sleep were his secrets to living a long life.

He was named the oldest living man by the Guinness Book in August 2014. Koide was born March 13, 1903.

In April the world’s oldest person and oldest woman, Misao Okawa from Japan, died at the age of 117.

His death has come a day after the world’s oldest living person celebrated her 116th birthday. Fresh fish and seafood makes up much of the national diet.

The Japanese population is known for its longevity, with around a quarter of its 128 million people aged 65 or older.