Empress Emerita Michiko turns 92; no major change in health, agency says
In short
Empress Emerita Michiko turned 92 on 20 October. The Imperial Household Agency said her health has not changed greatly, though she tires more easily and her walks have become shorter. She is living quietly with the Emperor Emeritus at the Sento Palace in Tokyo.
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Empress Emerita Michiko turned 92 on 20 October. According to the Imperial Household Agency, her health has not changed greatly, though age-related decline in strength means she tires more easily than before. She is spending quiet, calm days with the Emperor Emeritus at the Sento Palace, the outlets reported. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 ]
Aides said the distance she walks on strolls is gradually shortening. To prevent muscle loss, she and the Emperor Emeritus walk and do light exercise as a daily routine. Her BNP value, an indicator used in diagnosing heart failure, remains above the normal range, and an afternoon low-grade fever continues. Follow-up for deep vein thrombosis also continues, and Jiji Press, Asahi and Nikkei reported that the fracture of her thigh bone two years ago has left no lasting problem. Sankei quoted an aide as saying both the Emperor and Empress Emeritus are older and their hearts are more easily strained, so they must be watched carefully. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
Several planned activities were scaled back. She and the Emperor Emeritus did not make their usual summer stay in Karuizawa, Nagano, and outlets said the heat was the reason; Jiji Press, Tokyo Shimbun, Asahi and Nippon TV also said the Nasu villa visit was skipped. Sankei and Jiji Press reported that a planned outing to the May sumo tournament was cancelled because of signs of tiredness, and Mainichi quoted an aide as saying the decision was a precaution. She did stay at the Hayama Imperial Villa in Kanagawa in May, where she mixed with local residents, and also in October last year. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
Music remains part of her life. Friends from her music circle performed at the Sento Palace this spring, and she sometimes plays the piano briefly, though less than before. Her days also include television programmes on nature and history and, in the evening, music and international sports, and she follows the news on disasters such as the July Kumamoto earthquake, according to Jiji Press. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
At the end of last year, students of Tsubata High School in Ishikawa sent her Ushikubi pongee silk, made after reviving silkworm farming over about ten years. Outlets said she was surprised and impressed by the students' dedication. Sankei and Tokyo Shimbun also noted that a picture book she wrote, "Hajimete no Yamanobori" (はじめてのやまのぼり), was sent to Ukraine. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
Why it matters
The coverage is a routine birthday update on the Empress Emerita's condition and daily life, based on statements by the Imperial Household Agency and her aides. It reports no change in her condition beyond the fatigue, shorter walks and cancelled outings it describes.
Key facts
- Empress Emerita Michiko turned 92 on 20 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The Imperial Household Agency said her health has not changed greatly, but she tires more easily with age and the distance she walks on strolls is gradually shrinking. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
- Her BNP value, an indicator used in diagnosing heart failure, remains above the normal range, and monitoring continues. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- She and the Emperor Emeritus did not make their usual summer stay in Karuizawa, Nagano; outlets said the heat was the reason. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- She stayed at the Hayama Imperial Villa in Kanagawa in May and mixed with local residents. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
- Plans to watch the May sumo tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan were cancelled. [ 6 , 8 , 11 ]
- Students of Tsubata High School in Ishikawa sent her Ushikubi pongee silk at the end of last year, made after reviving silkworm farming over about ten years. [ 1 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 11 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Michiko, the Empress Emerita, turned 92 on 20 October and is spending quiet, calm days with the Emperor Emeritus. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- Aides and the Imperial Household Agency said her health has not changed greatly, but she tires more easily and the distance she walks on strolls is gradually shrinking. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
- Her BNP value is above the normal range, and an afternoon low-grade fever continues. [ 1 , 10 , 11 ]
- She did not go to Karuizawa this summer, and outlets said the heat was the reason. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 ]
- She stayed at the Hayama Imperial Villa in October last year and in May this year. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Friends from her music circle performed for her at the Sento Palace this spring. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 ]
- Her sumo outing in May was cancelled. [ 6 , 8 , 11 ]
Still unclear
- Which silkworm variety the Tsubata High School students raised. Documents 1 and 8 link the gift to the Koishimaru silkworm she raised, while documents 4 and 7 name the variety as Tamakoishi.
- Why she plays the piano less than before. Document 8 says stiffness in her fingers, while document 11 says the effects of treatment after her 2019 breast cancer surgery.
- The exact reason the May sumo outing was cancelled. Documents 6 and 11 cite signs of tiredness, while document 8 quotes an aide saying it was a precaution given the physical burden of going out and travelling.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Asahi, Yomiuri, Nikkei, Sankei, Tokyo Shimbun, Mainichi, NHK and Nippon TV publish reports on her 92nd birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- TBS reports that the agency released photos of the couple chatting at the Sento Palace, taken on 6 October. [ 10 ]
- Jiji Press publishes its report on her birthday and condition. [ 11 ]