Tokyo, Sep 18 (DPA) The world’s oldest man celebrated his 112th birthday Tuesday in southern Japan, saying his wish is to live forever.
“I don’t want to die,” the healthy-looking Tomoji Tanabe was quoted in media reports as saying as he celebrated his birthday with a breakfast of rice, miso soup with seaweed and bitter goya gourd.
The centenarian who lives in the southern prefecture of Miyazaki also gave advice on how to live a long life: no alcohol.
He observes a daily routine that includes reading a newspaper every morning, drinking milk in the afternoon and writing his diary in the evening.
Tanabe lives with his son and his family said he can do most of the things needed to take care of himself and requires little special care, except for bathing.
The father of eight, grandfather of 25 and great-grandfather of 54 is recognised as the world’s oldest living man by Guinness World Records.
Japan has 32,295 centenarians as of September. This year marks the first time the number of centenarians exceeded 30,000, the health ministry said.
The oldest Japanese woman is a 113-year-old Tsuneyo Toyonaga living in the western Japanese province of Kochi. The world’s oldest living woman is an American, Edna Parker, 114.