Japanese Emperor Akihito marks 82nd birthday

Reuters: Thousands of well-wishers gathered at the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday (23 December) to celebrate the Japanese figurehead’s 82nd birthday.

About 23,000 well-wishers lined up, some from the break of the dawn, to march together into the Imperial Palace to get a closer glimpse of Emperor Akihito, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Akihito and his wife Empress Michiko stepped out onto the balcony of the Imperial Palace at 10:00hrs local time. (0100 GMT) to be greeted by the sea of people who waved Japanese flags and chanted,  “Long live the Emperor!”

Members of the Japanese Imperial family, including Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Fumihito Akishino, Princess Kiko Akishino and their daughter Princess Mako and Princess Kako, also joined the event.

“I deeply appreciate your congratulations for my birthday,” Akihito said from behind a transparent shield.

“Yesterday was winter solstice. The days will be getting slightly longer from now on. I hope the coming year will be a bright year for all of you,” he said.

Akihito, who had a heart bypass surgery in February 2012, appeared healthy and in good spirits as he spoke to those gathered before him.

Akihito ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989. He has spent much of the past two decades working to heal the wounds of a war waged across Asia in his father’s name and helped bring the monarchy closer to ordinary citizens.