Yukichi Chuganji, oldest man at 114

By Associated Press, 9/30/2003

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

Bedridden in recent years, Mr. 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, said his nephew, Tadao Haji.

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

Mr. Chuganji was born March 23, 1889, in the farming town of Chikushino on Japan's 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 every day but didn't consume alcohol.

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

With an estimated 15,000 Japanese older than 100,

the nation has the world's longest life expectancy.