Jirouemon Kimura — Japan’s oldest person and the world’s oldest man — celebrated his 115th birthday
today.
Jirouemon Kimura, Japan’s oldest person and the world’s oldest man, celebrated his
115th birthday at home today.
Kimura lives in Kyotango City in western Japan and spends most of his time in bed these
days, although he does manage to eat all three meals a day with his family and reads the newspaper daily, reported the Associated Press.
Just
237 days shy of being the oldest living person, Kimura gave reporters and photographers in his home a surprise when he gave
them a message — in English.
“Thank you very much. You are very kind man,” Kimura said, according to KABC News Radio.
Born on April
19, 1897, Kimura worked at a local post office for 38 years, reported the AP. He changed careers after his retirement at 65
and became a farmer, not stopping until the age of 90.
Kimura has seven children (five who are still alive), 14
grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
“It is all thanks to the grace of God,” Kimura
said to KABC. “I have nothing but gratitude for the life I’ve been given.”
Kimura is just one of five Japanese who
are on the list of 10 oldest people in the world, according to the Guinness
Book of World Records.
The AP reported that the previous oldest living man was American Walter Breuning, who was
born on September 21, 1896 and died on April 14, 2011.