Japan's Emperor Emeritus discharged from hospital in Tokyo
The 91-year-old Emperor Emeritus left the University of Tokyo Hospital in Bunkyo Ward around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, accompanied by Empress Emerita Michiko. The couple returned home before noon.
The Emperor Emeritus was admitted to the hospital to start taking new medicine designed to ease strain on the heart.
He underwent a coronary bypass operation in 2012 when he was 78, after being diagnosed with angina. He was diagnosed with right heart failure in 2022 and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in May.
Asymptomatic myocardial ischemia occurs when blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart muscle is insufficient. This is caused when exercise stress exceeds certain levels.
The Emperor Emeritus has restricted fluid intake and avoids excessive exercise stress. He has been taking new medicine to improve coronary blood flow since May, but his condition has not improved.
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