RAW VIDEO: Japan's Emperor Celebrates 79th Birthday

Thousands visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in honor of Japanese Emperor Akihito's 79th birthday.

Published

5 months ago

Categories

Entertainment

Topics

Asia, Royals

People

Akihito Hoshide

Places

Japan, Tokyo

Transcript

(ROUGH CUT -- NO REPORTER NARRATION) Japan's Emperor Akihito greeted thousands of well-wishers at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Sunday (December 23) in celebration of the Japanese figurehead's 79th birthday. According to the national public broadcaster NHK the Palace ground gates opened to 4,500 patiently waiting visitors at 9:30 a.m. and by reports of other Japanese media by 10 a.m. approximately 8,400 people had gathered to hear the Emperor speak alongside his wife, Empress Michiko, his son, Crown Prince Naruhito and other family members from the balcony of the Imperial residence. "I am extremely moved by everyone's kind birthday wishes and the gathering here," the Emperor said to the thousands gathered before the Palace. Emperor Akihito who had heart bypass surgery in February 2012 appeared healthy and good spirits as he spoke to those gathered before him.