- Title: JAPAN: CROWDS CHEER EMPEROR HIROHITO ON HIS 87TH BIRTHDAY.
- Date: 29th April 1988
- Summary: 1. GVs Uniformed guards entering palace as crowds cross bridge into Imperial Palace. (4 SHOTS) 0.19 2. GV ZOOM INTO SV Flag-waving crowds and Emperor Hirohito waving from balcony. (3 SHOTS) 0.33 3. SV Hirohito speaking. (Japanese SOT) 0.48 4. SV More cheering crowds waving flags as members of Imperial family watch from balcony. (4 SHOTS) 1.00 5. SV Hirohito waving to
- Embargoed: 14th May 1988 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVABP5DAVHHIELSCEM3CVC266X5L
- Story Text: TOKYO, JAPAN
Thousands of people packed the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday to pay their traditional birthday tribute to Emperor Hirohito.
Tourists mingled with Japanese, undeterred by heavy rain earlier in the day. They were rewarded by the view of the 87-year-old Emperor, looking in good health seven months after major surgery, as he appeared on the balcony of the palace. He thanked the people for their greetings from behind bullet-proof glass, watched by other members of the Imperial family.
He was scheduled to attend a birthday party in the palace later in the day and will receive visits from foreign diplomats on Saturday. Speaking to reporters in a rare interview recently, the Emperor said he was recovering well and able to spend time at his palace office and to continue his lifelong interest in marine biology research without getting tired.
Looking over his life since ascending the "chrysanthemum throne" in 1926, he told reporters his worst memory was World War Two and he appealed to the Japanese people to hold together to maintain peace.
<strong>Source: REUTERS - KIMIAKI TANAKA</strong> - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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