Japanese Emperor Akihito had expressed a desire to abdicate in August.
Tokyo:
The 83-year-old Emperor of Japan, Akihito, has cancelled the annual year-end banquet as he is sick with a cold. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other dignitaries had been invited for Monday's banquet.
The Imperial Household Agency said on Monday that the Japanese monarch had developed a fever last week and is still recovering.
However, plans for his birthday celebrations have not changed. The Emperor turned 83 on Friday.
In a rare address in August, he had expressed a desire to abdicate citing health reasons. Consequently, a governmental panel is discussing a set up to accommodate his smooth abdication along with the possibility of allowing an Empress.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
The Imperial Household Agency said on Monday that the Japanese monarch had developed a fever last week and is still recovering.
However, plans for his birthday celebrations have not changed. The Emperor turned 83 on Friday.
In a rare address in August, he had expressed a desire to abdicate citing health reasons. Consequently, a governmental panel is discussing a set up to accommodate his smooth abdication along with the possibility of allowing an Empress.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
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