The emperor and empress stand in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in this photo from the Imperial Household Agency.

Emperor greets public on 75th birthday

Tuesday 23rd December, 11:33 PM JST

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Latest 15 of 22 Total Comments Show All

NeoJamal at 03:26 PM JST - 23rd December

Unlike the British Royal Family though, this one is too scared to even offer an open gesture, that they will abdicate from their royal duties if the Japanese people want a republic.
seesaw at 03:44 PM JST - 23rd December

Happy Birthday His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan! Long live Emperor Akihito!
spudman at 05:21 PM JST - 23rd December

old man needs to move over and let some vigor lead the country,
cleo at 05:38 PM JST - 23rd December

He doesn't lead the country any more than a figurehead on a galleon steers the ship.

But happy birthday anyway, Mr. Emperor.

I always pity people whose birthday is around Christmas, they tend to get overlooked in all the festivities. At least he's spared that, gets a holiday all to himself.
GG2141 at 08:58 PM JST - 23rd December

The Emperor represents all that is Japanese society. Uptight, incapable of expressing and embracing desires. Controlled by demons that are largely non-existant.

So, get off your podium and TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. You've only got a few birthdays left.
Shumatsu_Samurai at 09:06 PM JST - 23rd December

Many happy returns, your majesty!
Thenewfront at 09:59 PM JST - 23rd December

Shumatsu Samurai- I agree, praise the living god of unique beautifull Japan.
browny1 at 10:28 PM JST - 23rd December

As genial an old bloke as he is, and no doubt his wife also, there is little space in the real world for continuing royal fantasies both here and abroad.

The mumbo-jumbo of royalism belongs to the past and these blue-bloods should set about using their talents in a more productive manner.

These cults, while relatively harmless in themselves, can cause disturbances in those who take in all with a too severe dose of seriousness.

But not one to spoil the day - Happy B'day & the best of luck.
grafton at 12:11 AM JST - 24th December

Happy birthday Emperor Akihito.

After thought. I thought traditional Japanese didn’t celebrate birthdays?
OhioDonna at 12:43 AM JST - 24th December

Happy Birthday
ca1ic0cat at 04:00 AM JST - 24th December

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year!

Guys, Akahito-san has done a good job as Emperor. No point using his birthday to carp about royalty this or monarchy that. Let him enjoy himself.
browny1 at 09:16 AM JST - 24th December

Not suggesting he shouldn't enjoy his day at all.

But his b'day is a good day to question the relevance of royalty in this modern era.

All the energy & brouhaha of yesterday may well have been better spent servicing the ever growing soup kitchen lines.

No amount of niceness, genuine or otherwise, displayed by the royal family members will convince me that their "specialness" contributes or amounts to much at all.

Idolatory.
bobbafett at 10:32 AM JST - 24th December

‘Lately, I worried you as my health decline

Yes, worried.......

is it actually his birthday or is it a "Jesus" birthday? Does the emperors birthday ever change if a new emperor comes along or do they all change their date of birth?
cleo at 10:45 AM JST - 24th December

Does the emperors birthday ever change if a new emperor comes along

Yes. During Showa the Emperor's birthday was 29th April. When Hirohito died that day had been a national holiday for so long (64 years) that it was decided to leave it as a holiday (now renamed Showa no Hi).
GlowingStar at 11:19 PM JST - 25th December

Long Live to Emperor Akihito. Wish your Birthday brings you happiness that you most ever want. Hope everytime you'll be fine. Stress free and always in good health. Banzai.