National Mar. 25, 2008 - 09:34AM JST ( 2 )

TOKYO —

Empress Michiko has been diagnosed as suffering from gastroesophageal regurgitation, a condition in which gastric fluid flows backward into the esophagus, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.
   
The empress is taking medicine to reduce gastric acid and her condition is improving, the agency said, adding that it intends to consider alleviating the empress’s burden on such occasions as court ceremonies. The agency said the empress has been experiencing slight pains in her chest and back, especially at nighttime, and coughing in recent years.