In this photo released by the Imperial Household Agency, Japanese Emperor Akihito stands beside Empress Michiko playing a piano ahead of her birthday in Tokyo Oct. 9, 2009. Michiko celebrates her 75th birthday, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
In this Oct. 9, 2009 released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko take a stroll in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Empress Michiko will celebrate her 75th birthday on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
TOKYO - AUGUST 15: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso (R) bows to Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko (C) of Japan during the memorial service for the war dead of World War II at Nippon Budokan on August 15, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. Japan marks the 64th anniversary of the end of World War II today.
Emperor Akihito rows a 7-meter (23-foot) traditional Japanese wooden boat named "Take" which his father, late Emperor Hirohito, had used to collect sea animals for his research, as Empress Michiko, second left, Princess Kiko and her son Prince Hisahito enjoy a ride off Hayamacho in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. The royal family was spending their late summer vacation in their villa in the seaside resort.
Emperor Akihito, center left, Empress Michiko, center right, and Princess Kiko, background, look at Kiko's three-year-old son Prince Hisahito get off a 7-meter (23-foot) traditional Japanese wooden boat named "Take" which Akihito's father, late Emperor Hirohito, had used to collect sea animals for his research, after they enjoy its ride off Hayamacho in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. The royal family was spending their late summer vacation in their villa in the seaside resort.
credit photo: Reuters picture
