'Keep a smile on your face': World's oldest man shares secret to longevity at 112

Don’t get angry and “keep a smile on your face.”

That’s the secret to living a long life, according to 112-year-old Chitetsu Watanabe of Niigata, Japan.

Guinness World Records has confirmed that Watanabe is the oldest living man at 112 years, 344 days as of Wednesday. He was born on March 5, 1907, and is the oldest brother to seven siblings.

Watanabe was presented with the official certificate Wednesday by Guinness World Records Japan’s Country manager Kaoru Ishikawa at his nursing home in Niigata, his hometown.

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He spent 18 years in Taiwan after graduating from agricultural school, where he married his wife, Mitsue. He’s the father of five children.

Watanabe served in the military toward the end of the Pacific War in 1944. He then returned to Niigata and worked at an agricultural office until he retired.

Retirement didn’t stop him from being active, however. In 1974, he and his son built a new family home and grew vegetables and fruit there until Watanabe was 104.

Until about a decade ago, Watanabe grew and shaped small bonsai trees. His work was even exhibited.

These days, he loves desserts such as custards and cream puffs, Guinness said.

The oldest living person, Kane Tanaka, also lives in Japan and celebrated her 117th birthday in January. The oldest person to have ever lived was Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived to be 122 and died in 1997.

Contributing: Associated Press. Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter: @AdriannaUSAT.