Japanese Emperor Akihito turned 79 years old on Sunday and reassured thousands of well-wishers that he has regained health since his heart bypass surgery in February.

The softly-spoken monarch gave his birthday address to the public from a glass-covered balcony at the Imperial Palace overlooking the East Garden, filled with visitors braving the bitter cold and waving small Japanese flags.

“In February, I had a heart surgery and worried many people. Please remain assured that I am now living normally like before,” he said in a brief speech.

Surgeons carried out the operation on February 18 -- the emperor‘s first since he was treated in 2003 for prostate cancer -- after tests showed a narrowing of two of his coronary arteries.

The four-hour operation went without a hitch.

During his birthday address, Akihito also said his thoughts were with those who have been unable to return to their homes since the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit northern Japan in March 2011.

“There is only a little time left this year, which once again was a difficult year,” he said.

“I plan to spend my time praying for the happiness of all of the Japanese public, particularly those who were affected by the disaster,” Akihito said.

The disaster crippled the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, which went through meltdowns and explosions, forcing tens of thousands of residents around the facility to abandon their homes, farmland, fishing boats and livestock.

Before his birthday, Akihito told a ceremonial press conference that his health has recovered to the point where he can play tennis.

He added that he wanted to continue to carry out his public duties at the same level, despite calls from his family and court officials to reduce his workload.

Since his heart surgery, Akihito and his wife Michiko have travelled around Japan and visited Britain in May to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee, the royal couple‘s first overseas trip since 2009, when they visited Canada and Hawaii. (AFP)



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79세 일왕 아키히토, ‘난 아직 건재하다’


일본 국왕 아키히토가 일요일 79세 생일을 맞아 그의 안녕을 기원하는 일본 국민들에게 지난 2월 심장수술 이후 건강을 되찾았다고 밝혔다.

지난 2월 18일의 수술은 일왕 아키히코가 2003년 전립선암으로 수술을 받은 이래 첫 번째로서 간동맥에 이상이 발견됨에 따라 진행됐다.

4시간 동안 진행된 이 수술은 큰 탈없이 잘 치러진 것으로 알려졌다.

이날 생일 담화에서 아키히코 일왕은 2011년 3월 도호쿠 지방 대지진과 쓰나미로 인해 고향을 잃은 사람들에 대한 생각을 밝히기도 했다. 그는 “남은 일생 동안 모든 일본 국민들을 위해 기도할 것이며, 특히 대재앙으로 피해를 받은 사람들을 위해 애쓰고 싶다.”고 밝혔다.

또한 아키히코는 업무를 줄이라는 주변 왕족들과 관료들의 조언에도 불구, 종전과 동일한 수준으로 공공 업무를 수행하겠다는 의지를 밝혔다.

심장수술 이후 아키히코와 아내 미치코는 일본 전역을 여행하고, 5월에는 영국을 방문했으며, 2009년에는 캐나다와 하와이로 여행을 다녀오기도 했다. (코리아헤럴드)