Emperor Akihito was moved Monday from the intensive care unit to a private room at University of Tokyo Hospital following heart bypass surgery two days earlier, the Imperial Household Agency said.
The 78-year-old Emperor has taken a light meal and begun rehabilitation activities, including standing up beside his bed and reading, the sources said.
The Emperor was in a wheelchair when he was moved out of the ICU and met his wife, Empress Michiko, in front of the private room around 11 a.m., the sources said.
According to his physicians, the Emperor is recovering well and will start rehabilitation aimed at restoring his heart functions by midweek and, if he continues to improve on schedule, will leave the hospital in about two weeks.
Doctors from the hospital and Juntendo University Hospital said they will make sure the Emperor does not have an irregular pulse or infection.