By KAHO MATSUDA/ Staff Writer
October 20, 2026 at 17:17 JST
Empress Emerita Michiko, who turned 92 on Oct. 20, continues to enjoy stable health while spending peaceful days with Emperor Emeritus Akihito, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
While the agency said Michiko tires more easily and has shortened the distance she walks, she still goes on strolls with Akihito within the grounds of the Sento imperial residence in Tokyo’s Moto-Akasaka district where they live.
The couple often watches TV programs on nature, history, music and international sports.
Along with walks, the empress emerita also does light exercises to prevent a decline in muscle strength. Examinations have yielded no complications since she broke her right femur two years ago.
In terms of overall health, Michiko is experiencing slight fevers in the afternoon, and her BNP levels, a key indicator used in diagnosing heart failure, remain above the normal range.
She spent time at the Hayama Imperial Villa in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture, where she enjoyed interacting with local residents last autumn and again this May while resting and recuperating.
This summer, however, she decided against taking their customary retreats to Nasu and Karuizawa because of the record-breaking heat.
Michiko has also continued to maintain ties with her fellow music enthusiasts.
This spring, she attended a musical performance at her imperial residence, and fondly recalled past exchanges when she received a letter from an overseas musician with whom she had once performed.
Late last year, students at Ishikawa Prefectural Tsubata High School presented her with an Ushikubi Tsumugi silk textile piece they wove after reviving the local sericulture tradition that had disappeared from the area.
The gift was particularly meaningful because of its connection to Koishimaru, the silkworm breed that Michiko has long raised. She appeared impressed by the students’ dedication and enthusiasm, the agency said.
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Empress Emerita Michiko, right, and Emperor Emeritus Akihito at the Sento imperial residence in Tokyo’s Moto-Akasaka district on Oct. 6 (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)
