World’s oldest man dies aged 112

The world’s oldest man has died at the age of 112.

Chitetsu Watanabe, from Japan, died on Sunday – just days after claiming his Guinness World Records certificate.

The organisation and funeral home handling his services did not give a cause when they confirmed Mr Watanabe’s death on Tuesday.

However he had not been able to eat recently and developed a fever and difficulty breathing a couple of days before his death, Japan’s Mainichi newspaper reported, citing family sources.

Mr Watanabe was born in Niigata, in northern Japan, in 1907.

He graduated from agricultural school and then moved to Taiwan to work at Dai-Nippon Meiji Sugar on sugar cane plantation contracts.

Mr Watanabe lived and worked in Taiwan for 18 years and married Mitsue, with whom he had five children.

After returning to Niigata after the end of the Second World War, he worked for the prefectural government until his retirement.

He also grew fruit and vegetables on the family farm and loved desserts such as custards and cream puffs.

He also enjoyed bonsai, the Japanese traditional art of raising small sculpted trees, and had his work exhibited.

Mr Watanabe had said the secret to his longevity was to keep smiling.

He is survived by his five children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, Mainichi said.

Guinness in Japan offered its condolences to his family.

The oldest living person – Kane Tanaka, a 117-year-old woman – is also Japanese.

Additional reporting by Associated Press.