Former Japanese Emperor Akihito celebrated his 88th birthday and set a record for longevity among monarchs in the history of the Land of the Rising Sun, TASS reported, citing Japanese television channel NHK.
Akihito’s sons, Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince Akishino, visited their father’s Tokyo residence for the holiday.
The imperial court announced that the former monarch has no serious health problems and spends his days in peace and quiet. Akihito walks in the garden every day in the company of his 87-year-old wife Michiko and tries to strictly adhere to sleep.
The previous record for longevity in the Japanese monarchy belonged to Akihito’s father, Emperor Hirohito. He died at the age of 87 in 1989.
Akihito ruled from January 7, 1989 until April 30, 2019, when he voluntarily resigned due to old age. His eldest son Naruhito became Emperor of Japan on May 1, 2019.
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