The Associated Press
NAGOYA, Japan—The secret to a long, happy life?
Yasutaro Koide, a 112-year-old living in the central Japanese city of Nagoya who officially was recognized by Guinness World Records today as the world’s oldest man, says to “not overdo.”
Koide was born March 13, 1903 and worked as a tailor.
He became the oldest man with the death of Sakari Momoi of Tokyo in July at age 112.
Three of his seven children, two of his nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild attended a ceremony at a nursing home, where he was given a plaque and a green vase.
Koike was beaming but teary-eyed as those attending applauded.
“The best thing is to not overdo,” Koide said.
He also recommended not smoking or drinking, and said his favourite food is bread.
Koike also recommends “enjoying everything,” according to local reports that say he can read the newspaper without glasses.
The newspaper Chunichi Shimbun quoted Aya Kikuchi as saying her grandfather once tended to be very strict about manners.
“He was very stubborn but he got nicer with age,” she noted.
“His lifestyle is one that avoids stress.”
The world’s oldest person is Susannah Mushatt Jones of Brooklyn, N.Y., who celebrated her 116th birthday on Monday.
