Yukichi Chuganji, a retired silkworm breeder documented as the world's oldest man, died at his home in Japan at age 114, his family said Monday.

The world's oldest man, retired Japanese silkworm breeder Yukichi Chuganji, died in his home at the age of 114, local government officials said on September 29, 2003. Chuganji is shown at his home in Fukuoka, southern Japan on March 23, 2002.   [Reuters]

Chuganji was pronounced dead from natural causes Sunday evening, said his 65-year old nephew, Tadao Haji.

Bedridden in recent years, Chuganji had been living with his 72-year-old daughter Kyoko in the city of Ogori, about 550 miles southwest of Tokyo.

He had just finished drinking some apple juice when his family noticed he wasn't looking well, Haji said.

"As always, he had been thanking everyone for taking such good care of him and for cooking his meals," Haji said of Chuganji's last day.

Chuganji was born March 23, 1889 in the farming town of Chikushino on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu. He worked as a silkworm breeder and adviser after graduating from technical school in the early 1900s.

He liked to eat beef and pork with his meals of rice and miso soup. He would drink milk everyday but didn't consume alcohol.

Kyushu is also home to the world's oldest person, a 116-year-old woman named Kamato Hongo.

There are an estimated 15,000 Japanese over the age of 100, and women make up about 80 percent of the total.

Japan has the world's longest life expectancy. Researchers say the country's traditional fish-based, lowfat diet may be the secret to the country's longevity.

Close

Today's Top News		Top International News
+Party meeting focuses on political, economic issues ( 2003-09-30) +Victims win compensation in toxic lawsuit ( 2003-09-30) +Transport gears up for holiday ride ( 2003-09-29) +Japanese orgy hurts feelings of Chinese ( 2003-09-30) +More housings for low-income families ( 2003-09-29)		+US sees new UN resolution to put Iraqis in control ( 2003-09-30) +Iran says IAEA inspections will be limited ( 2003-09-29) +Italy gets power back after massive blackout ( 2003-09-29) +US forces attacked west of Baghdad ( 2003-09-29) +Much Iraqi defector information unusable-NY Times ( 2003-09-29)