FILE - Japan’s former Emperor Akihito leaves after paying his respects on the 110th anniversary of the death of the wife of former emperor Meiji, former empress dowager Shoken, who died on April 9, 1914, at the age of 64, at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, April 9, 2024. (Richard A. Brooks/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Japan’s former Emperor Akihito, right, rides on a car headed for the University of Tokyo Hospital in Tokyo, Monday, July 14, 2025. (Taichi Nagahisa/Kyodo News via AP)
FILE - Japan’s former Emperor Akihito leaves after paying his respects on the 110th anniversary of the death of the wife of former emperor Meiji, former empress dowager Shoken, who died on April 9, 1914, at the age of 64, at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, April 9, 2024. (Richard A. Brooks/Pool Photo via AP, File)
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s 91-year-old former Emperor Akihito was hospitalized Monday to adjust his heart medication, palace officials said.
Akihito was diagnosed in May with myocardial ischemia, an asymptomatic heart condition of reduced blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart muscle. He has since been on medication to improve blood flow to his heart while avoiding excessive exercise and reducing liquid intake.
in 2019, handing over the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son, current and now holds the title of Emperor Emeritus.
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After two months on the medication, doctors found little improvement in Akinito’s condition and decided to give him an additional treatment to alleviate the burden on his heart, the Imperial Household Agency said.
Monday’s hospitalization was to carefully determine the right dose of the new medication to avoid side effects, while monitoring his heart by electrocardiogram and other examination, the IHA said.
In 2012, Akihito underwent a coronary artery bypass surgery. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with right heart failure caused by tricuspid valve insufficiency.
Akihito was seen in the back seat of a palace car, wearing a white surgical mask and accompanied by his wife, Empress Emerita Michiko, as he was taken to the hospital.
Palace officials said they couldn’t say how long Akihito would have to be hospitalized.
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