18 Facts About Jiroemon Kimura

Jiroemon Kimura was a Japanese supercentenarian who was the verified oldest living person between Dina Manfredini's death on 17 December 2012 and his own death at age 116 years and 54 days on 12 June 2013.

Jiroemon Kimura was, after 113-year-old James Sisnett's death on 23 May 2013, the last surviving man born in the 19th century.

Jiroemon Kimura's age was further verified by researchers in an article that they published in 2017.

The researchers concluded that Jiroemon Kimura was listed as being born on 19 March 1897, on his school records due to his parents' desire to have him begin school a year earlier than his later birthday would have allowed, so that he could graduate from school earlier and begin working on the family farm.

On 1 April 1903, Jiroemon Kimura began his primary-school education.

Jiroemon Kimura then went on to work as a farmer until he was 90.

Jiroemon Kimura left the Nakahama post office on 2 February 1913.

Jiroemon Kimura was discharged from service on 30 June, was again conscripted on 1 September 1919 and was posted to Tokyo, but only served for three weeks until 21 September.

From 1 to 21 September 1921, Jiroemon Kimura underwent a final three-week period of army service, again in a communications unit, during which he was posted to Hiroshima.

Jiroemon Kimura worked there for the next 38 years until his retirement on 30 June 1962, two months after his 65th birthday and having worked in post offices for 45 years.

Jiroemon Kimura had in total 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, and his 13th great-great-grandchild was born in 2011, eleven months before Jiroemon Kimura's 115th birthday.

At age 110, Jiroemon Kimura had one living brother, Tetsuo, who died on 2 June 2007 at age 98.

Jiroemon Kimura woke up early in the morning and read newspapers with a magnifying glass.

Jiroemon Kimura enjoyed talking to guests and following live parliamentary debates on television.

Jiroemon Kimura credited eating small portions of food as the key to a long and healthy life.

On his 116th and final birthday, Jiroemon Kimura received many well-wishes, including a video message from Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe.

On 23 May 2013, upon the 113-year-old Barbadian man James Sisnett's death, Jiroemon Kimura became the last surviving man born in the 19th century.

Jiroemon Kimura was admitted to hospital for pneumonia on 11 May 2013, from which he recovered.