Emperor Emeritus Akihito turned 88 on Thursday, making him the longest living Japanese emperor on record, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
In good health, he has spent much of the year peacefully with his wife, Empress Emerita Michiko, at their temporary home at the Takanawa Imperial Residence, after stepping down from the chrysanthemum throne in 2019 to become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around 200 years.
The former emperor is said to be happy to see Princess Aiko, the only child of his eldest son Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, growing up. The princess turned 20 on Dec. 1, becoming an adult member of the imperial family.