World’s Oldest Man Masazo Nonaka Dies at 113 at His Home in Japan

Guinness World Records officially recognised Nonaka as the oldest living man after the death of Spaniard Francisco Nunez Olivera last year. 

Tokyo: Masazo Nonaka, world’s oldest man died at the age of 113 on Sunday, reported Japanese media. Nonaka was born just two years after the Wright brothers launched humanity’s first powered flight. According to Guinness World Records, Nonaka was born in July 1905, months before Albert Einstein published his special theory of relativity.

Speaking of Nonaka’s demise, her granddaughter Yuko said, “We feel shocked at the loss of this big figure. He was, as usual, yesterday and passed away without causing our family any fuss at all.”

Nonaka had six brothers and one sister. He married in 1931 and fathered five children. According to local media reports, he ran a hot spring inn in his hometown and in retirement enjoyed watching sumo wrestling on TV and eating sweets.

Guinness World Records officially recognised Nonaka as the oldest living man after the death of Spaniard Francisco Nunez Olivera last year. Japan has one of the world’s highest life expectancies and was home to several people recognised as among the oldest humans to have ever lived.

They include Jiroemon Kimura, the longest-living man on record, who died soon after his 116th birthday in June 2013. The oldest verified person ever — Jeanne Louise Calment of France — died in 1997 at the age of 122, according to Guinness.

(With inputs from agencies)