The oldest living person in the world recently celebrated his 116th birthday on Friday.

Jiroemon Kimura, a Japanese man, was named as the world's longest living person by the Guiness World Records this past December upon the death of 115-year-old Dina Manfredini of Iowa in the U.S., reported the Chicago Tribune.

As a show of the respect, Japan's Prime Minister Shenzo Abe congratulated the well over a century old man.

"I truly congratulate you on your 116th birthday. I'm 58 years old, still a young man at only half your age. Thanks to your generation's efforts, Japan could overcome several difficult times and achieve the prosperity we enjoy today. Your healthy existence becomes our confidence and pride," he said.

The Mayor of Kyotango City, Yasushi Nakayama, paid Kimura a visit to his residence in western Japan, to present him with messages from around the globe.

Kimura is currently living with his 60-year-old daughter-in-law and has a daily diet regimen of rice, sweet potatoes and pumpkins.

Japan has in excess of 50,000 people over the age of 100, according to government data from 2011, which reinforced the country's reputation for survival.

Interestingly enough, Japan also has the longest living woman in 115-year-old Misao Okawa.

Tags: offbeat