World’s oldest person turns 116

Kyotango city mayor Yasushi Nakayama hands out a binder full of birthday messages to Jiroemon Kimura at his home in Tango, Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan, on Friday April 19, 2013.

Japan celebrated the birthday of the world’s oldest living person, Jirouemon Kimura, who turned 116 on Friday.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent Mr. Kimura a video message to congratulate him while Kyotango Mayor Yasushi Nakayama and an official from Guinness World Records visited his home, said Michiko Arata, a city employee.

Mr. Kimura, who lives in Kyotango city in Kyoto prefecture, was recently hospitalized, but he was discharged on April 9, Mr. Arata said.

Mr. Kimura was born on April 19, 1897 and became the oldest living person in the world in December. He has a good appetite and eats three meals a day, Mr. Arata said.

Mr.Kimura has five living children, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren.

Mr.Kimura worked at a local post office for 38 years. He turned to farming after his retirement and continued until the age of 90.