Part of Emperor Akihito's legacy will be how he defined ... The country got its first taste of the new Emperor's style in 1991 when he and the Empress visited people who had evacuated areas ...

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's beloved former Emperor Akihito marked his 91st birthday on Monday, as he continues to pursue his lifetime research into goby fish, care for his wife and pray for peace.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito, marking his 90th birthday on Dec. 23, spends his days like retirees the world over reflecting on the past and trying to lead as normal a daily life as possible.

11, 2024 by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan and released on Dec. 23, 2024 shows Japan's former emperor Akihito, left, and former empress Michiko as they pose for photos at their residence ...