19 Apr 2013

World's oldest person turns 116

10:05 pm on 19 April 2013

The world's oldest person is celebrating his 116th birthday on Friday.

Jiroemon Kimura was born in western Japan on 19 April 1897.

He is one of only 12 people in the world and the only man still alive who were born before the turn of the 20th century, the BBC reports.

Mr Kimura worked as a postman until he was 65 before taking up farming until he was 90.

Guinness World Records has certified Mr Kimura as the world's oldest living person and the oldest living man.

Mr Kimura still lives at home and is cared for by his grandson's widow. He has 14 grandchildren and dozens of great- and great-great grandchildren, reports say.

Japan is also home to the world's oldest living woman, Misao Okawa, who is 115.