On March 7, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan was at the Imperial Household Hospital for a procedure to “… have fluid removed from his chest that had accumulated since undergoing heart bypass surgery last month” which is apparently quite common after having that type of invasive surgery.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, the Emperor arrived at the hospital along with Empress Michiko in the morning.  Soon, doctors treating the 78-year old Emperor removed the “…fluid from his chest which had increased recently.”

Since being released from the University of Tokyo Hospital on March 4, 2012, Emperor Akihito has not recovered as well as doctors had hoped.  Apparently, the Emperor has “… not been eating well, experienced shortness of breath, and has trouble walking…”

Source: AFP News via IHA