Jiroemon Kimura Birthday: World’s Oldest Living Man Turns 115 [Video]

Jiroemon Kimura, the world’s oldest living man, celebrated his 115th birthday on Thursday at his home in Kyotango City, Japan.

The Japanese centenarian’s incredible feat as the world’s oldest man has been recognized by the Gerontology Research Group, an international body which details longevity research.

When asked what he attributed his long life to, Kimura replied,

“It is all thanks to the grace of God,” he said. “I have nothing but gratitude for the life I’ve been given.”

Despite his astonishing milestone birthday, Kimura is — amazingly — still 237 days shy of the oldest living person, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. That title belongs to “supercentenarian” Besse Cooper, who lives in Monroe, Ga.

The Telegraph points out that Kimura, who was born April 19, 1897 and worked at the local post office until he retired at the age of 65, would have been 6-years-old when the Wright brothers flew the first-ever plane, 72 when Neil Armstrong took the first step on the Moon, and 93-years-old when the world wide web was birthed.

In addition to an undoubted myriad of “back in my day” stories, Kimura has a sizable family which includes 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren, the youngest being an 11-month-old great great grandson.

More on Jiroemon Kimura and his milestone 115th birthday in the video below:

Readers chime in: Does hearing that the World’s oldest living man is 115 suddenly make you feel a little younger?