An investigation is underway in Tokyo after it emerged Japan’s oldest man may have been dead for 30 years.
Japanese authorities went to visit Sogen Kato on his 111th birthday to update their list of centurions ahead of September’s Respect for Elderly Day only to get a grim surprise.
After entering Mr Kato’s room they found his mummified skeletal remains lying in bed. He was wearing pyjamas and covered with a blanket.
According to a report by Jiji Press, relatives of Mr Kato – who was born on July 22, 1899 – had told police he confined himself to his room for more than 30 years and became a living Buddha.
Tokyo police are now investigation possible fraud after the family had been receiving pension money for Mr Kato and his dead wife.
The world’s oldest person is Frenchwoman Eugenie Blachard who is staggering 114 years and 163 days old. But she’s a way off the oldest verified person ever – fellow Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment who died in 1997 aged 122 years and 164 days.