Japanese 112-year-old ‘who became the world’s oldest man for just two days’ actually died BEFORE his predecessor… and never held the title at all, Guinness World Records reveal

 

 

 

The world’s oldest man has died just two days after he was awarded the title, aged 112, following the recent death of the previous 114-year-old holder.

Gisaburo Sonobe, born on November 6, 1911, was crowned the oldest living man in Japan in November 2022, at the age of 111.

He passed away in Tateyama, Chiba Prefecture, China, but the cause of his death remains unknown.

Sonobe’s long life spanned over 41,000 days, and to add to the legacy he leaves behind, he was a world record holder for two of them.

The former world’s oldest man lived through an impressive set of historic moments ranging from the start of the Taisho era with the death of Emperor Meiji in 1912, and the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Sonobe’s predecessor died in November 2022, meaning they both survived two world wars and the Covid19 pandemic.

Japan has the highest rate of centenarians per population, thought to be above 90,000 people in a country of 125million.

Previous studies have suggested that good diet, exercise, spirituality, and a culture of caring for the elderly have contributed to this exceptional number.

Some 30 per cent of Japan’s population is 65 or over, and 15 per cent are aged 75 and above. 

When records began in 1963 there were estimated to be 153 centenarians. 

The news of Sonobe’s death comes just three days after the death of the former oldest man in the world, Venezuelan Juan Vicente Perez Mora, at age 114.

Perez was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records as the oldest man alive on February 4, 2022, when he was 112 years and 253 days old.

Vicente was born in 1909 and was set to celebrate his 115th birthday on May 27.

Throughout his long and incredible life, Vicente witnessed several remarkable inventions such as the television and internet.

When he was 51 years old, he had his ID photograph taken for the first time in black and white.

His death was confirmed by Freddy Bernal, the governor of the state of Tachira in Venezuela where he died.

Bernal said on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Our dear Juan Vicente Perez Mora, today with deep sadness and pain we say goodbye to you, to that archetype of a man from Tachira, humble, hard-working, peaceful, enthusiastic about family and tradition.

‘He will always be a symbol of goodness, wisdom and joy, which is why his legacy will live forever in our hearts and in our lives.

‘Rest in peace my dear old man, my Don Juan Vicente. We will never forget you.’

The new oldest man is yet to be confirmed but it is currently believed to be a 111-year-old Brit grandad living in Merseyside.

John Tinniswood, who lives in a care home, is a WWII veteran who says the secret to his long life is a fish supper every Friday.

The father-of-one will turn 112 on August 2 – as he was born in 1912 – the same year as the maiden voyage of the Titanic.

The retired accountant was also handed a birthday card from King Charles and Queen Camilla last year.

But this wasn’t the only moment in his long life that he connected with royalty, as Tinniswood even met the late Queen Elizabeth – twice.

Speaking to The Sun, Tinniswood’s family said: ‘Being alive at 111 is testimony to his resilience, love for life, good humour and amazing survival instinct’.

Guinness World Records have said they are reviewing the evidence for the next world record holder for the oldest man title, and will be able to confirm in due course.

The world’s oldest living person is Maria Morena – from Spain – who is aged 117.