World's oldest man dies aged 112. Here's his secret to long life

Chitetsu was born on 5th March 1907. Photo / Guinness World Records

A Japanese man recently named the world's oldest living male has died aged 112, a local official has said.

Chitetsu Watanabe, who was born on March 5, 1907 in Niigata, north of Tokyo, died on Sunday, February 23 at his nursing home in the same prefecture, the official said.

The news came less than two weeks after he was officially recognised by Guinness World Records.

Watanabe, who had five children, said the secret to longevity was to "not get angry and keep a smile on your face".

He also admitted a penchant for sweets such as custard pudding and ice cream.

The oldest man in Japan is now Issaku Tomoe, who is 110 years old, according to Jiji Press, although the oldest male globally is now believed to be Robert Weighton from Alton, Hampshire, who is 111 years old and will turn 112 on March 29.

The oldest living person is also Japanese, Kane Tanaka, a 117-year-old woman from Fukuoka.

Japan has one of the world's highest life expectancies and has been 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 - Jeanne Louise Calment of France - died in 1997 at the age of 122, according to Guinness.