Japan’s 78-year-old emperor to undergo heart bypass surgery

The emperor appears to have suffered declining health in recent months, having
been admitted to hospital with mild pneumonia for 19 days in November
alongside heart-related issues.

Emperor Akihito, who ascended the throne in 1989 following the death of his
father, also suffered from prostate cancer in 2003 and underwent surgery as
part of his treatment.

Before then, further health concerns were raised when traces of bleeding were
detected in the emperor’s stomach, believed to be caused in part by stress.

There have been discussions in recent months, led by his second son Prince
Akishino, questioning whether a retirement age should be set for the role of
the nation’s emperor.

The emperor, titular head of state, has cut back on public duties in recent
months although he still appears regularly at events.

Japan’s emperor is held in deep respect by much of the nation, despite the
imperial dynasty’s loss of much of its powers in the aftermath of the loss
of the Second World War.

The popularity of the emperor and empress was boosted further in the aftermath
of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster, when they visited victims
in evacuation centres and disaster zones.

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