World

106-year-old breaks travel record

21:51 pm on 17 August 2012

A 106-year-old Japanese man has become the oldest person to travel around the world using public transport.

Saburo Shochi has been recognised by Guinness World Records for his feat, in which he travelled through North America, Europe and Africa, AFP reports.

The Japanese newspaper Mainichi says Mr Shochi, a professor emeritus at Fukuoka University of Education, started travelling frequently at 99, giving lectures on child education and health in foreign countries.

With dozens of his supporters hailing his return at Fukuoka airport in southwest Japan, the centenarian said with a big smile: "I will live more."

Mr Shochi, who celebrated his 106th birthday on Thursday, said: "In my whole life, I have never said 'I'm tired'."