Keep smiling to live up to 112 years

JAPAN’S WATANABE LIVED THREE DECADES BEYOND AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY BY AVOIDING ANGER

This Japanese man avoided anger, too

When Japanese centenarian Chitetsu Watanabe was born in 1907, Japan’s average life expectancy hovered around 40 years; more than a century later, that has more than doubled. Watanabe lived three decades beyond that. He died in his native Niigata in northern Japan earlier this week at the age of 112.

Less than two weeks before his death, the Guinness Book of World Records recognised Watanabe as the “World’s Oldest Man” at 112 years and 344 days old. At the February 12 ceremony at which he was presented with a certificate from Guinness that read “the world’s number one,” Watanabe reportedly “clenched his fist in triumph,” according to The Mainchi, Japan’s nationally circulated newspaper.

At the Guinness ceremony at the nursing home where he lived, Watanabe credited his long life with avoiding anger and lots of smiling. His daughter-in-law, Yoko Watanabe testified to seeing him live those ideals.

Life of Watanabe

“I’ve lived together with him for over 50 years, and I’ve never seen him raise his voice or get mad,” Yoko Watanabe said, according to Guinness. “He’s also caring. When I was working on my patchwork hobby, he was the one who praised my work the most. I think having lived with a big family under one roof, mingling with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren helped keep a smile on his face as well.”

Watanabe was born on March 5, 1907, the eldest of eight children. After finishing school and moving to Taiwan to work on sugar plantations, he met his wife, Mitsue, and together they had five children, according to Guinness. He served in the Japanese military, but Watanabe’s first passion appeared to be agriculture: He cultivated a small family farm of fruits and vegetables until he was 104 and trimmed and exhibited traditional Japanese Bonsai trees well into his 100s.

When he quit farming and gardening, his love turned to sweets, including cream puffs and custards, the AP reported.

Watanabe’s cause of death was not given, though Yoko Watanabe told The Mainchi he had difficulty eating and developed a fever and trouble breathing in recent days. The paper said he is survived by his five children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

I lived together with him for more than 50 years, and I never ever saw him raise his voice or get mad.”

Yoko Watanabe | Chitetsu’s daughter-in-law

Courtesy: Guinness World Record.com Chitetsu Watanabe, whose first passion was agriculture, seen cultivating fruits and vegetables at his family farm at age 104.

Courtesy: Guinness World Record.com Watanabe, who also served in the Japanese military, with the Guinness certificate that read ‘the world’s number one.’