The oldest man ever recorded, Jiroemon Kimura, celebrated his 116th birthday Friday with a message from Japan’s prime minister as health chiefs launched a study into why his home city boasts so many centenarians.
Kimura, who greeted guests including the mayor of Kyotango city and officials from the Guinness World Records had a very busy day.
“You give us pride and confidence in the people of Japan,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a pre-recorded video greeting that marked the milestone.
Mayor Yasushi Nakayama also congratulated Kimura on reaching the ripe old age of 116, making him the current world’s oldest person and the longest living man on record.
