Tokyo, Apr 20 (IANS): The world's oldest living person celebrated his 116th birthday in the Japanese prefecture of Kyoto Friday, with the country's prime minister sending him personal greetings.

Jiroemon Kimura, certified by the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest living person, received a total of 156 celebration messages and letters from around the world, Xinhua reported.

Fellow citizens, including the mayor, visited his home in Kyotango city, and organised a modest longevity ceremony with a video message from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart. ...I am 58 years old, but still too young compared with you, and you are our country's pride," said ,"the prime minister said in a video message.

Although Kimura's false teeth are not well-fixed these days, his health condition is quite good, said a city official.

He takes three meals a day, that are cooked as soft semiliquid food by his family members or the care staff.

The city authorities have plans to establish a special research team to find the secret of Kimura's longevity, the official added.