Emperor Akihito, who is recovering from heart bypass surgery, and Empress Michiko met with Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Friday to bid him farewell at the Akasaka Palace state guesthouse in Tokyo, the Imperial Household Agency said.

The Emperor, 78, accompanied by his wife, exchanged greetings with the state guest in the lobby and moved to the guest house's salon for talks, the agency said.

Given the Emperor's condition after the mid-February operation, Crown Prince Naruhito hosted an evening banquet and outdoor ceremonies for the emir on his behalf.