The greatest joy of their marriage is that they have been able to enjoy their 50th anniversary in good health and Empress Michiko's good sense of humor has made their relationship even happier, Emperor Akihito told a news conference earlier this week to mark the matrimonial milestone.
The Imperial Couple's comments, made at a news conference Wednesday, were published after an embargo on the transcriptions was lifted for Friday morning's newspapers.
"I think that first and foremost, it is that we have both been able to reach this 50th wedding anniversary in good health. I think it has been a joy for us to be able to talk together about everything," the Emperor said.