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Japanese emperor`s heart surgery ends successfully
Akihito has had various health problems in recent years, including pneumonia and prostate cancer.
Tokyo: A heart bypass operation performed on Japan`s Emperor Akihito ended successfully on Saturday, public broadcaster NHK reported.
Akihito, 78, has been receiving treatment for heart problems for the past year, and doctors decided last week that he needed a coronary bypass operation. A medical team from University of Tokyo Hospital, where the 78-year-old emperor is staying, worked with doctors from Juntendo University Hospital for the operation.
A special notebook has been set up at the palace for get-well messages, but the emperor does not accept gifts or flowers, according to the agency.
Akihito performed his regular duties on Thursday, including meeting with four Japanese ambassadors and elementary school officials. Crown Prince Naruhito, Akihito`s son, will perform such duties during the hospitalisation. 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.
Bureau Report
Akihito, 78, has been receiving treatment for heart problems for the past year, and doctors decided last week that he needed a coronary bypass operation. A medical team from University of Tokyo Hospital, where the 78-year-old emperor is staying, worked with doctors from Juntendo University Hospital for the operation.
A special notebook has been set up at the palace for get-well messages, but the emperor does not accept gifts or flowers, according to the agency.
Akihito performed his regular duties on Thursday, including meeting with four Japanese ambassadors and elementary school officials. Crown Prince Naruhito, Akihito`s son, will perform such duties during the hospitalisation. 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.
Bureau Report