Japan’s Emperor Akihito appears with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to well-wishers gathered to celebrate the monarch’s 77th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Japan’s Emperor Akihito appears with Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to well-wishers gathered to celebrate the monarch’s 77th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo

Japan’s Emperor Akihito (C) appears with Empress Michiko (R), Crown Prince Naruhito (L) and Crown Princess Masako to well-wishers gathered to celebrate the monarch’s 77th birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo December 23, 2010. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File photo