World's oldest man Sakari Momoi dies in Japan at the age of 112

Oldest living person celebrated her 116th birthday yesterday in Brooklyn, New York

Sakari Momoi was awarded with a certificate in August last year to celebrate becoming the world's oldest man (AFP/Getty Images)

The world’s oldest man has died at the age of 112.

Sakari Momoi, who was born in Fukushima on February 5 1903, passed away from kidney failure at a care home in Tokyo over the weekend after his health worsened over the past two weeks.

Mr Momoi received a certificate from Guinness World Records confirming the achievement last year where he told the media: “I want to live for about two more years.”

Mr Momoi, who used to be a teacher before becoming a high school principal, said he put his long life down to healthy eating and plenty of sleep.

Susannah Mushatt Jones, world's oldest person, celebrated her 116th in New York yesterday (AP)

According to Guinness, the super-centenarian liked to read – especially Chinese poetry – and also enjoyed travelling around Japan with his now late wife whom he married in 1928.

Japan is renowned for the longevity of its people and is said to have around 54,000 centenarians.

On the other side of the world, however, Susannah Mushatt Jones yesterday celebrated her 116th birthday in Brooklyn, New York, making her Guinness’ current holder of the oldest living person award.