The world's oldest person has died in Japan, aged 116 -- just days after the passing of a Chinese woman with a rival claim to the title.
Jiroemon Kimura, a former
postman, died of natural causes in hospital in his hometown of
Kyotango, western Japan, in the early hours of Wednesday, city officials
told CNN.
In December, Kimura had been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, and as the oldest man whose age had ever been verified.
"I wanted him to live
longer," his nephew, Tamotsu Miyake, told Japanese television network TV
Asahi. "His life was respectable; I would like to say 'thank you' to
him."
Kimura, who attributed
his longevity to eating light, healthy meals, worked for the post office
until his retirement in 1962, continuing to carry out agricultural work
until the age of 90.
Only the third man in
history verified to have reached the age of 115, Kimura had seven
children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grand children and 14 great-great
grandchildren.

Misao Okawa is now officially the oldest person in the world.
On his passing, the mantle of oldest living person passes to fellow Japanese Misao Okawa, a 115-year old woman from Osaka.
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