ISLAMABAD, DEC 05 (DNA) -Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai and Madam Rieko Kurai hosted a reception to celebrate the 85th birthday of Emperor Akihito, the 125th Emperor of Japan.

Emperor Akihito will be 85 years old on 23rd December 2018. Mohammedmian Soomro, Federal Minister for Privatization, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The reception was attended by the Ministers, Parliamentarians, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community and other dignitaries from the public and private sector.

Ambassador Kurai, along with the distinguished guests, cut a cake to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty Emperor Akihito after the national anthems of Japan and Pakistan were played.

The Imperial Household of Japan is the oldest now existing lineage in the world, dating more than 2000 years back, since the foundation of the first Emperor Jimmu in 660 B.C. according to Japan’s oldest history book named Nihonshoki.

Today, under Japan’s postwar constitution, the Emperor is featured as a symbol of the nation, embodying the unity of its people.

His Majesty Emperor Akihito was born in Tokyo on 23rd December, 1933 as the first son of the late Emperor Hirohito (Showa).

23rd December is celebrated as a national holiday in Japan. The Era of His Majesty Emperor Akihito’s reign is called Heisei. On April 30, 2019 His Majesty Emperor Akihito will abdicate and Crown Prince will ascend throne on 1st May 2019. This is the last official birthday ceremony for His Majesty Emperor Akihito.=DNA

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