Japanese man, 112, recognized as world's oldest male

Japanese Masazo Nonaka, who was born 112 years and 259 days ago, receives a Guinness World Records certificate naming him the world's oldest man during a ceremony in Ashoro, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, in this photo taken by Kyodo April 10, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

ASHORO, Japan (Reuters) - A 112-year-old Japanese man born months before Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity was recognized on Tuesday 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.

Japanese Masazo Nonaka, who was born 112 years and 259 days ago, receives a Guinness World Records certificate naming him the world's oldest man during a ceremony in Ashoro, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, in this photo taken by Kyodo April 10, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

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

The Guinness World Records title for the oldest man who ever lived is held by another Japan man, Jiroemon Kimura, who died in 2013 at the age of 116 years and 54 days.

The greatest authenticated age for any human is 122 years, 164 days by Jeanne Louise Calment of France, who died in 1997.

Japanese Masazo Nonaka, who was born 112 years and 259 days ago, eats his favorite cake as he receives a Guinness World Records certificate naming him the world's oldest man during a ceremony in Ashoro, on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, in this photo taken by Kyodo April 10, 2018. Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS

(Reporting by Hyun Oh; Writing by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Robert Birsel)