Emperor draws record 82,000 birthday well-wishers before abdication next year

75,000! Absolutely unbelievable! No other Royal in the world could command that size crowd. Happy 85th Birthday, we love you sweet Emperor!!

Omedeto gozaimazu. This last real emperor of Japan is a national treasure.

I am amazed at the size of the crowd! Going out in a mass of 75,000 is not my idea of a good time, but it’s often considered great fun here.

Happy Birthday to the Emperor

Tanjobi omedeto Tenno.

Ganbare said -

"....Absolutely unbelievable! No other Royal in the world could command that size crowd...."

What did you base that on? Sorry to disappoint you, but Queen Elizabeth regularly draws crowds of that size and more and she's not even leaving. Her 90th birthday was huge. And no doubt the King of Thailand and other royals around the world also draw huge crowds. You make it sound like it's a competition - Like my Royals better than yours. Geez.

And congratulations to the emperor on his birthday. He has gained the respect of the people because of his sincerity, kindness and approachability - a far cry from earlier royals. His ability to connect with the common people while presenting his own opinions (to the chagrin I'm sure of the Imperial household and others) is to be commended. I'm sure his son will take over this style & manner and be equally as liked.

 a far cry from earlier royals. His ability to connect with the common people while presenting his own opinions

Think again, he has been unable to honestly present his "own" opinions as he wants, and has had to deliver them couched in terms that carry many meanings

 He has gained the respect of the people because of his sincerity, kindness and approachability - a far cry from earlier royals.

The "only" other royal family you can even come close to making the same comparison his the Showa Emperor, Hirohito, and even he started his reign as a "god" to the people so the respect he had was based upon that and nothing with sincerity and kindness, as ,many in the country hated him because he never showed any remorse for WWII and his part in it!

Akihito on the other hand brought the royal family close to the people, HE is the ONLY Emperor in this country so far to have accomplished that.

His son is going to have huge shoes to fill!

I hope the Japanese people in Okinawa felt better a bit by his remark

Yubaru - I think you missed the tone of my post.

My sentiments are akin to yours.

Many of his comments were published internationally but not locally so many will have a better understanding of his stance against the war and his continuous commentary for peace. I wish him well and hope his son will continue the tradition of pushing the real Japan past the Imperial household and politicians

sf2k, imperialistic war hawks will be taken care by wars. If one war doesn't do it, another one will follow, until they are all gone. 127 millions Japanese are fortunate to live in a peaceful time, hopefully war will never happen again.

Happy birthday greetings to Emperor Akihito on his 85th birthday from friendly Indian well wishers of JAPAN

My sentiments are akin to yours.

My apologies, I did misinterpret your comment.

Its a shame that I could have not been there! Tanjobi omedeto Tenno. I hope his son rules with such grace and respect as his farther.