Famous monkey dies in Japan

KUMAMOTO, Japan, Jan. 15 (UPI) -- A monkey that rose to fame in a Sony headphone commercial 20 years ago has died of old age in Kumamoto Prefecture.

The monkey, named Choromatsu, died of old age Sunday. He was 29, Mainichi Daily News reported Monday. Choromatsu's age was roughly equivalent to a 100-year lifespan for a human.

The showmen who owned Choromatsu said the monkey spent most of his retirement after 1990 basking in the sun.

The monkey was made famous by a Sony commercial depicting him closing his eyes while listening to music.