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115-year-old Japanese man becomes the world's oldest person

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 12/17/2012 11:56 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 12/18/2012 3:04 AM

In this photo taken Oct. 15, 2012 and released by Kyotango City, Jiroemon Kimura smiles after he was presented with the certificate of the world's oldest living man from Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday at his home in the city, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Kyotango mayor hailed Kimura for becoming the world's oldest person Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012. At 115 years old, Kimura inherited the title from an American woman who died Monday. (AP Photo/Kyotango City) EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TOKYO - A Japanese mayor has hailed a resident of his city for becoming the world's oldest person.

At 115 years old, Jiroemon Kimura inherited the title from an American woman who died Monday.

Yasushi Nakayama, the mayor of Kyotango, near Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto, confirmed Kimura's status Tuesday, calling him "the pride of our town."

Kimura, born April 19, 1897, is 15 days younger than his predecessor, Dina Manfredini, who died in Iowa less than two weeks after inheriting the title as the world's oldest living person.

Kimura, a former postal employee, has 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. He lives with his son's family.

Kimura's family declined to comment to reporters Tuesday out of consideration for Manfredini's family.

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