Japanese man, 112, is world’s oldest male

Ashoro : A 112-year-old Japanese man born months before Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity was recognized yesterday as the world’s oldest man.

Masazo Nonaka, born on July 25, 1905, took the title after Francisco Nunez Olivera of Spain died this year at the aged 113, Guinness World Records said.

A farmer and lumberjack in his youth, Nonaka later ran a hot spring inn in his hometown of Ashoro, on Hokkaido island, 900 km (560 miles) north of Tokyo, and raised two sons and three daughters.

Nonaka enjoys dipping in a spa and is fond of sweets, especially a strawberry sponge cake. He was joined at an award ceremony yesterday by relatives and officials.