World's Oldest Man, Jiroemon Kimura Dies

Jiroemon Kimura, the oldest man in recorded history, has died. He was 116.

The government released a faxed statement today that said the resident of Kyotango, Japan, was being treated for pneumonia in the past week when he stopped responding to treatment. He died of natural causes, according to the statement.

Kimura, who celebrated his 116th birthday at the end of last month, was the last man alive known to be born in the 19th century, according to Guinness World Records. He was also designated the oldest living person.

The "oldest living" distinction now belongs to 115-year-old Misao Okawa, also of Japan, a woman who was born March 5, 1898. The Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group lists her as one of 21 women born before New Year's Day in 1901 who are still alive and well.