World’s oldest man has 113th birthday

? The world’s oldest man celebrated his 113th birthday Thursday in southern Japan, telling reporters he wants to live another five years.

Tomoji Tanabe, who was born Sept. 18, 1895, received birthday gifts, flowers and $1,000 cash from the mayor of his hometown of Miyakonojo, on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu.

Tanabe told reporters he wants to live “another five years or so,” according to city spokesman Akihide Yokoyama. That was a slight downgrade from last year, when he said he wanted to live “for infinity.”

The former city land surveyor, who lives with his son and daughter-in-law, is in good health and sticks to the habits that have gotten him this far. He rises early and reads the newspaper each day, drinks milk every afternoon and eats regular meals. He also avoids alcohol and does not smoke.

On Tuesday he woke up early in the morning to eat breakfast before walking out to meet the mayor and members of the press at his home, Yokoyama said. The cash gift he received is given annually to the city’s oldest resident.

Japan has one of the world’s longest life expectancies, nearly 86 years for women and 79 years for men.