World’s Oldest Man Is A 112-Year-Old Japanese Man And His Secret To Longevity Is ‘Smiling’

Reports are now claiming that Chitetsu Watanabe is the world’s oldest man at 112 years old. He is Japanese and believes in smiling, clocking in at exactly 112 years and 344 days old. This is according to the official Guinness World Records. Watanabe was born in Niigata in northern Japan in 1907. He received an official certificate for this lifetime achievement this week at a nursing home in the area.

The previous record-holder for this achievement was Masazo Nonaka, another Japanese, who died last month. The world’s oldest woman is also another Japanese, Kane Tanaka, a 117-year-old woman.

Chitetsu Watanabe credits not getting angry and smiling more for his long life

Up until a decade ago, Watanabe used to do bonsai, which is the Japanese traditional art of raising small sculpted trees. Much of his work was exhibited. Nowadays, he loves to treat himself to desserts like custards and cream puffs. A well-deserved treat after so many years of hard work! He graduated from agricultural school and moved to Taiwan to work at Dai-Nippon Meiji Sugar on sugar cane plantation contracts.

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Watanabe would live in Taiwan for 18 years and marry his wife Mitsue. Together, they had five children. It was after the end of World War II that Watanabe would return to Niigata and work for the prefectural government until retirement. He also grew fruits and vegetables on the family farm there.

So, what’s Watanabe’s secret to a long life? He says, don’t get angry and keep smiling. What a lovely motto to live by! Best wishes and good health for Mr. Watanabe.