Japan's Emperor Celebrates Birthday

WONG:
Japan's Emperor Akihito turned 75-years-old today. Hundreds of cheering well-wishers, Japans prime minister and international diplomats joined the birthday celebrations. Lets take a look.

STORY:
Emperor Akihito's birthday comes at a time when recession deepens in Japan.

The emperor expressed his worries for those hit by the global financial crisis.

[Emperor Akihito, Celebrating Birthday]:
"I am worried that there may be many people who are struggling at the end of the year amid the severe economic conditions."

But it also comes weeks after he cancelled some duties earlier this month.

An irregular pulse and bleeding in the stomach because of stress meant a cancelled news conference ahead of his birthday.

[Emperor Akihito, Celebrating Birthday]:
"Recently, I made everyone worried after my health was in poor condition, but I believe it will gradually get better."

Japanese prime minister Taro Aso spoke on behalf of the guests.

[Taro Aso, Japanese Prime Minister]:
"Representing all the guests who were invited, I would like to express my sincere wishes for the emperor's good health and success, as well as for the prosperity of the imperial family."

Akihito is the latest member of Japan's royal family to suffer a stress-related illness. His wife, Michiko, experienced intestinal bleeding last year. And their daughter-in-law, Princess Masako, has yet to recover from a mental illness.

Category:

News & Politics

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• Akihito
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[NicholasGeschke]

I do hope to visit Japan someday.

His Majesty looks remarkably well for 75 years old, and being the Emperor of a great nation no-less!

[joumon12000]

amdsoccer94

White pig,you attacked many countries around the world.

Do you have any reasons?

Before Pearl Harbor,USA flight troops fought against Japan in China.

It's you that are always looking for a fight.

[taow222328]

@HenshinHotties The bakayalo japs emperor and those japs who never repent for what their evil forefather had done to the Chinese will be CURSED. The jap palace will be haunted, and the nation will suffer 444 years of doom.

[HenshinHotties]

@taow222328 Do not dishonor the Emperor

[taow222328]

Cursed and Unhappy Birthday to the japs emperor and may your people live in misery for the dark times your country had brought to the Chinese.

[taow222328]

@iKanshisha We are lookining at one of the evil japs soldier who killed, rape, tortured, experimented, eaten and beheaded millions of Chinese and other nationals. And now try to term we are all equal, and trying to preach the past is the past.

There is no case-closed in history. What your evil ancestors had done will go down in history , will never be forgotten.

[Mangina9000]

@joumon12000 Jeez. Japanese fascists everywhere these days.

[hyuhyuuyh]

Hes the emperor of japan and doesnt have mechas as bodyguards? :'(

[iKanshisha]

You have sunk so low to bring up the hated topic of Racism. Guess what. just because were a different color does not mean that were not human. War was in the past, The Pearl Harbor attacks honestly I dont give a shit about Im not on america's side or Japan's side. The point is that it is the past. Why dont you get it through your heads. Heres how it should be: Blacks dont make fun of whites, whites dont make fun of blacks no one makes fun of no one, no one makes fun of anything. WERE THE SAME!