Japan’s former Emperor Akihito marks 92nd birthday as health stabilises

Japan’s ex-emperor Akihito and former empress Michiko. PIC/AFP

Japan's beloved former Emperor Akihito marked his 92nd birthday Tuesday as his heart condition stabilised, palace officials said, following health concerns earlier this year.

Akihito, the father of Emperor Naruhito, was diagnosed in May with insufficient blood flow to the heart muscles but has been in stable condition since he started a new medication in July, the Imperial Household Agency said in a statement.

He still enjoys scientific research into goby fish, career work in which he found 10 new species, and he visits a biology lab on the palace compound twice a week, the agency said. Akihito has held the title of emperor emeritus since his father's abdication in 2019.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever