Report: world's oldest man dies at 113 in Japan

TOKYO, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Tomoji Tanabe, the oldest man in the world as recognized by Guinness World Records, died Friday of chronic heart failure at 113 at his home in Miyazaki Prefecture of Japan, Kyodo News reported.

Tomoji Tanabe (pictured last September), the world's oldest man, died at the age of 113, on June 18. Tanabe, who suffered from a chronic heart problem, passed away with his relatives at his bedside.(AFP/File)

Born in Miyakonojo on Sept. 18, 1895, Tanabe used to say that the key to longevity was "not smoking and not drinking." His daily routine included drinking milk at 3 p.m., reading newspapers and keeping a diary.

After retiring from the city office, Tanabe, a civil engineer, was involved in agricultural activities.

Tanabe was designated the world's oldest man in June 2007 after a Puerto Rican man died at the age of 115.

He had been mostly bed-ridden since early May and could not eat. He died in his sleep at daybreak Friday, according to a prefectural official.

After Tanabe's death, the world's most oldest man alive is Henry Allingham, who was born in Britain on June 6, 1896.