Japan's Emperor Akihito (R) and Empress Michiko leave after praying at the altar of late Prince Tomohito, a cousin of the Emperor, in Tokyo June 19, 2012. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai and his wife Rieko Kurai hosted a reception to celebrate the 85th birthday of Emperor Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan. Emperor Akihito will be 85 years old on December 23, 2018. Mohammed Mian Soomro, former minister for privatisation, was the chief guest on the occasion.
The reception was attended by the ministers, parliamentarians, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community and other dignitaries.
Ambassador Kurai, along with the distinguished guests, cut a cake to celebrate the birthday of his majesty Emperor Akihito after the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan were played.
The Imperial Household of Japan is the oldest now existing lineage in the world, dating more than 2,000 years ago, since the foundation of the first Emperor Jimmu in 660 BC according to Japan’s oldest history book named Nihonshoki.
Today, under Japan’s postwar constitution, the Emperor is featured as a symbol of the nation, embodying the unity of its people.
Emperor Akihito was born in Tokyo on December 23, 1933 as the first son of the late Emperor Hirohito (Showa).
The day is celebrated as a national holiday in Japan. The Akihito reign is called Heisei. On April 30, 2019 Emperor Akihito will abdicate and the crown prince will ascend the throne on May 1 2019. This is the last official birthday ceremony for Emperor Akihito.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2018.
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