One day after having a second procedure to remove fluid from the left side of his chest, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan went back to work on March 21, 2012.

This morning the 78-year old emperor, along with Empress Michiko, held an audience with Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah of Kuwait at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.  In the evening, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan hosted a gala dinner in honor of Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah visit; however, the dinner only lasted for 45 minutes according to the Imperial Household Agency.  The reason:  “It was in consideration of His Imperial Majesty’s health…” who was also in attendance.

Source: Japan Times

Photo courtesy of Daylife

It was announced by the Imperial Household Agency that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan will undergo another procedure to remove fluid in his chest. Twelve days ago the 78-year-old emperor had the same procedure after having heart bypass surgery on February 18, 2012.

According to the IHA, Emperor Akihito still suffers from “…shortness of breath during exercises, apparently due to fluids remaining in the left of his chest…”  The second procedure will be performed on March 20, 2012, at the Imperial Household Hospital.

Source: The Japan Times via Imperial Household Agency (IHA)

On March 11, 2012, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan attend a memorial service to mark “… the first anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that struck the north-east coast, leaving about 20,000 dead or missing” held at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Japan.

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• VIDEO  (with an article)
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Source: BBC News

Photo courtesy of Daylife/Reuters

On Friday, March 9, 2012, the Imperial Household Agency confirmed that His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan will participate in the Earthquake and Tsunami Memorial ceremony to be held at the National Theater in Tokyo, Japan.

IHA also announced that the Emperor, accompanied by Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko, will deliver a speech during the ceremony.

Rumors have been swirling for weeks that the Emperor would not participate due to his recent health problems.  But, alas that isn’t the case.   🙂

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian newspaper, Kyiv Post, is reporting that Mr. Volodymyr Lytvyn, Ukrainian Speaker, has formally invited His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan for an official visit to Ukraine.

It is unknown at this time if the IHA will allow the heir to the Japanese throne to visit the country.

Finally, on March 8, 2012, Crown Prince Naruhito held an audience with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Mr. Yingluck Shinawatra at the royal palace.  Click here for more information.

Source: Associated Press via IHA and Kyiv Post

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

It was recently announced by the Imperial Household Agency that His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan had to cancel his upcoming visit to France.

The heir to the Japanese throne was scheduled to give a speech during the 2012 World Water Forum held in Marseille, France on March 12-17.  The reason for Crown Prince Naruhito’s cancellation according to the IHA, “… he will carry out official duties on behalf of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito…”  The Emperor, as you may know by now, is recovering from heart bypass surgery which was performed on February 18, 2012.

Source: JiJi Press via the Imperial Household Agency

On March 4, 2012, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital after undergoing heart bypass surgery on February 18, 2012.

In a press release, the Imperial Household Agency noted that the Emperor will “…rest at home for a week…”  Various sources claim that Emperor Akihito along with Empress Michiko will participate in a memorial on March 11, 2012, commemorating the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last year.  The memorial will take place in Tohoku, Japan.

Meanwhile, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan held an audience with Vietnam’s Ambassador to Japan, Doan Xuan Hung, whereupon he presented his credentials to the heir to the Japanese throne on March 2, 2012.

Sources: Japan Times, Associated Press, and BBC News

Photo courtesy of Daylife