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 Click here for image gallery His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan is scheduled to undergo heart tests next Saturday. He will be having an angiogram of his coronary arteries after initial tests displayed a restricted blood flow.
News of this exam raises concerns over the 78 year old Emperor’s health. Last November, he was hospitalized for 19 days for bronchial pneumonia.
He also has been treated for prostate cancer, an ulcer and last year, was put on medication after it was discovered that his heart arteries were narrowing.
Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.
For his birthday interview, Prince Akishino, the Emperor’s second son, brought up the possibility of have a retirement age for the monarchs.
Sources: AFP, Mainichi
The Emperor of Japan marked his 78th birthday Friday by appearing on the palace balcony to wave and speak to a large crowd of well-wishers. Emperor Akihito also released a statement which mainly looked back on the year, with many ups and downs not only for him, but for the Japanese people.
 Click here for more photos “Looking back on this year, I must say this has been a truly distressing year, dominated by disasters,” His Majesty said.
“However it has been encouraging to note that the people in the afflicted areas are enduring the harsh conditions in evacuation and that many people are volunteering to support the victims. I feel that the Japanese people have come together as a nation to squarely face the disaster and do what they can to be of help for the victims.”
The Emperor discussed the Great East Earthquake, which struck on March 11th and caused a massive tsunami. 20,000 died as a result.
“My thoughts go out to the people who lost members of their families and loved ones. Their sorrow must be truly heart-rending. My heart goes out to those who lost their homes and livelihoods and those who can no longer live in the places they used to live because of the nuclear plant accident,” he said.
“In the aftermath of the disaster, the Empress and I visited the areas afflicted by the disasters and the evacuation centres for the victims in many areas to offer comfort and encouragement to them. On all of these visits we were most touched to see that, in spite of the sadness and hardships they must be facing, the people never seemed to lose their composure and, with a strong sense of solidarity, they were trying to overcome their hardships by helping each other.”
The Emperor expressed his gratitude towards the Self-Defense Forces, the police, the firefighters, the Japan Coast Guard, as well as all international help and condolences. But his mind is still on those suffering from the March disaster.
“The afflicted areas will soon be facing a bitter cold winter. I am concerned about the health of the survivors, especially the elderly, who live under inadequate living conditions. It is my sincere hope that they will remain in good health through the cold winter.”
Akihito also talked about natural disasters elsewhere, particularly in Thailand where major flooding has taken a toll on the country. “The disasters in Japan and the floods in Thailand remind us once again that we live in a world today in which our lives are closely linked with the lives of peoples of other countries.”
Finally, the Emperor brought up his recent hospital stay for bronchitis.
“I would like to express my gratitude to all the people for their concern and compassion regarding my health when I was hospitalized last month for mycoplasma infection. It has now been several weeks since I left hospital and I have been able to resume the official state duties that I had entrusted to the Crown Prince and I now feel that my physical condition is back to how it was prior to my hospitalization. I shall take good care of my health as I resume my works from now on through various events related to the coming of the New Year.”
“Only days remain before the end of the year. My heart will be always with the afflicted people in the coming new year as has been the case thus far. I sincerely hope that the coming year will be a better year for everyone.”
To read Emperor Akihito’s reflection in its entirety, click here.
Source: Mainichi Times
 Click here for more photos This past Thursday saw the Emperor of Japan be discharged from the University of Tokyo hospital, nearly three weeks after he was admitted for fever, cold and symptoms of bronchitis.
77 year old Emperor Akihito thanked the doctors, nurses and staff who took care of him before being driven to the Palace with Empress Michiko.
His Majesty will not return to royal duties any time soon. He will be resting for about a week.
Grand Steward Shingo Haketa said the Imperial Household Agency “should consider (the emperor’s) health more than ever, but there also are important duties and finding the right balance will be another issue.”
During Akihito’s hospitalization, his son and heir, Crown Prince Naruhito often stood in for him for engagements.
Source: Mainichi Daily
 See more photos of the Japanese Imperial family here The Emperor of Japan is still being treated at the University of Tokyo Hospital, where he was admitted Sunday for bronchitis.
Akihito is said to now be suffering from a fever as well. Empress Michiko has visited him twice so far, canceling making an appearance at a piano recital Monday.
It is believed the stress of this year’s earthquake and tsunami weakened the Emperor and made him vulnerable to illness.
Stepping in for him is his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito. The 51 year old heir was seen presiding over the annual autumn decorations awards on Monday. Next week, he will make a visit to the Yamanashi Prefecture on behalf of his father and mother.
Emperor Akihito is 77 years old, and will turn 78 next month.
Source: Mainichi Daily Times
 Click here for recent photos The Imperial Household Agency of Japan announced Sunday that Emperor Akihito will be hospitalized at the University of Tokyo Hospital.
He was photographed being driven to the hospital with wife Empress Michiko.
The Emperor, age 77, “will be hospitalized from tonight because he has had a persistent fever and begun to show more concerning symptoms of bronchitis,” a spokesman said.
The hospital is the same one where his granddaughter, 9 year old Princess Aiko, was discharged from Saturday. Aiko was treated at the University of Tokyo for pneumonia.
Akihito inherited the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1989 and has been operated for prostate cancer in 2003. This year it was announced he will be taking medication for a slight heart condition.
Source: News.com.au
 Click here for more images of the Emperor here On Friday, Japan’s Emperor Akihito took part in a ceremony before Parliament in which he endorsed incoming prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda. Later that day, the Emperor also sworn in Noda’s new cabinet.
The new government inherits a country still reeling from the March 11 9.0 earthquake, followed by a tsunami and a meltdown from one of its nuclear plants.
The new Prime Minister has vowed to renew Japan, but he is experiencing low expectations. Noda is the 6th Prime Minister for the country in five years.
Source: CNN
For the first time since the 9.0 earthquake and massive tsunami struck Japan, the country’s Emperor and Empress are visiting the victims of the natural disaster.
 Click here to see more On Wednesday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko went to a makeshift Tokyo shelter to meet with people who had lost their homes March 11th. Dressed casually, Their Imperial Majesties sat on the floor with the victims and learned about their plight.
Most of the people they met with were from Fukushima Prefecture where the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is.
The Imperial Household Agency is relaxing its rigid rules to show compassion towards the Japanese people. Besides allowing the Emperor and Empress to personally meet with those who suffered from the earthquake and tsunami, the IHA also opened a bathhouse normally used by the royals, was opened to evacuees taking refuge in Tochigi Prefecture. This is the first time the bathhouse were allowed to be used by the public ever. They will be open for about a month.
At the same time, food raised on royal farms are being shipped to stricken areas. Usually used for official events, the food from these farms include 1,000 eggs, around 280 cans of pork sausage and some of smoked chicken. Not even during the 1995 Kobe earthquake were the royal farms being used for refugees.
It is being reported that the Emperor and Empress are planning to make more trips to evacuation centers around Tokyo, but the IHA has yet to comment.
The IHA is also not commenting if the recent acts of charity were decided before or after Emperor Akihito’s televised address to the nation on March 16th – the first time ever he had broadcast a speech to the people.
Sources: Japan Real Time – WSJ.com, AP
On Wednesday, the Emperor of Japan released a video to the nation where he where he spoke about his feelings of despair over last week’s 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. But Emperor Akihito also expressed hope that the Japanese people will overcome their troubles. This was the first time Akihito ever spoke to the Japanese via video.
 REUTERS/Issei Kato “I am deeply hurt by the grievous situation in the disaster-hit areas,” the Emperor said in the video released by the Imperial Household Agency. “The number of people killed is increasing day by day, and we do not know how many people have fallen victim.”
“I sincerely hope that people will overcome this unfortunate time by engendering a sense of caring for other people.”
“I was greatly moved by the bravery of the survivors who are encouraging themselves in trying to live on through this enormous disaster,” the Emperor said.
“I hope that those affected by the earthquake will not give up hope and strive to survive, while taking care of their health.
It is being said that Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko, urged the IHA to issue such a video as a way of showing solidarity with the people.
“I, from the bottom of my heart, hope that we will all continue to hold hand in hand, paying consideration to one another, overcome this unfortunate period,” Akihito said, adding that he was praying for the nation.
Source: The Japan Times, Washington Post
As the world reacted with shock and sadness at the 8.9 earthquake that struck Japan Friday, world leaders were quick to express their condolences to Emperor Akihito, the head of state.
 AP Photo/Keichi Nakane, The Yomiuri Shimbun
“I was saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life caused by the earthquake which has struck north east Japan today,” Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II told the emperor.
“Prince Philip joins me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to your Majesty and the people of Japan. Our prayers and thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by the dreadful disaster.”
On Twitter, the two Queens of Jordan expressed their sadness over the disaster.
“My heart goes out to all affected by quake &tsunami in Japan including my beloved child who works there. God bless. &protect all,” tweeted Queen Noor, who was referring to youngest daughter, Princess Raiyah.
Noor’s stepdaughter-in-law, Queen Rania, wrote on the social networking site: “Awestruck by devastating power of nature in Japan. Thoughts & prayers are with those who lost loved ones, & those who wait in uncertainty.”
“A truly humbling reminder of our vulnerability, as humans in the end, we only have each other and our faith.”
On a personal note, I would like to express my condolences to the Japanese readers of Royalty in the News. The world is on your side, and my prayers are with you. – Megan
Sources: Telegraph, Twitter
The future Emperor of Japan celebrates his 51st birthday Wednesday. In the days leading up to his big day, Crown Prince Naruhito met with the press to discuss his family, particularly his father and his daughter.
 REUTERS/Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout When asked if he would take over more duties from the Emperor, Naruhito replied that it “should proceed in line with the thoughts of His Majesty, who is truly thinking a great deal about what he should do as the emperor.”
Earlier this month, Emperor Akihito was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, a heart condition. He is currently under medication for it.
The Crown Prince was asked about his only child, Princess Aiko, age 9, who still suffers anxiety about going to school following rowdy behavior from classmates last year.
“I and Masako have always tried to figure out what we can do for Aiko as her parents,” Naruhito said about he and his wife, Crown Princess Masako.
Masako herself suffers from a stress induced mental illness which has removed her from public life for nearly eight years. According to Naruhito, she is “recovering steadily”.
The Crown Prince also talked about a recent scandal in a recent sumo wrestling match, which was rigged. “I myself am worried about the current situation (of the sumo world). I sincerely hope that the issue will be resolved so that people can continue to love it (sumo) as the country’s national sport.”
Sources: Japan Today, Mainichi Daily News
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