Japan’s Jiroemon Kimura, who had been recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person, the oldest living man and the oldest man ever, died yesterday. He was 116.

According to Guinness, Kimura was the first man in history to have lived upto 116 years

Kimura, who lived in Kyotango near Kyoto in western Japan, had been hospitalised for pneumonia since last month.

He was born on April 19, 1897. Kimura worked as a postal employee and as a farmer at his home.

According to Guinness, Kimura was the first man in history to have lived up to 116 years.

He became the oldest man ever on December 28, 2012, at the age of 115 years, 253 days, breaking the record set by Christian Mortensen, a Danish immigrant to the US, whose life spanned from 1882-1998.

On his 115th birthday, Kimura told reporters he was keeping his mind fit by learning English.

He attributed his longevity to getting out in the sunlight.

“I am always looking up towards the sky. That is how I am,” Kimura said then.

Kimura is survived by seven children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren, Japanese media said.

Japan has more than 50,000 centenarians, 2011 government data showed, reinforcing its reputation for longevity.