Emperor Emeritus Visits Imperial Palace For Fish Research

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who is receiving treatment for heart failure, has visited a biological laboratory at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The Emperor Emeritus, the father of Emperor Naruhito, left his residence in the Akasaka Estate for the Imperial Palace on Friday morning. He waved at children from his vehicle.
On his arrival at the Imperial Palace, he smiled and waved to onlookers.
The Imperial Household Agency announced earlier this week that the Emperor Emeritus underwent an MRI scan at the University of Tokyo Hospital on Sunday. Doctors detected a faulty valve on the right side of his heart.
Agency officials said his condition is improving since he started taking medication and restricting his fluid intake.
They said the Emperor Emeritus has reduced his activities, such as by shortening his morning and evening walks, but that other restrictions are not necessary.
Agency officials also said the Emperor Emeritus will regularly visit a biological laboratory at the Imperial Palace to continue his research on goby fish.