InsideJapan News Network

Japan's emperor Akihito celebrates his 75th birthday today (December 23rd).

In his traditional birthday message, the monarch, who is approaching his 20th anniversary on the throne, expressed his concerns for those affected by the global economic downturn.

He commented: "I am worried that there may be many people who are struggling at the end of the year amid the severe economic conditions.

"I hope that everyone will be in good health to celebrate the New Year."

He also said he expected to get gradually better after recovering from prostrate cancer and spoke of his wife who experienced intestinal bleeding in 2007.

Members of the royal family have called for the imperial couple's workload to be reduced in their old age, reports Reuters.

Akihito is Japan's 125th emperor according to the country's traditional order of succession.

He is the only serving monarch in the world to retain the title emperor.


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