Hirohito Recovering; Prince’s Visit to U.S. May Be Shortened
Emperor Hirohito continued to recover satisfactorily Saturday from Tuesday’s operation to bypass a blocked part of his intestines, a government official said.
Chifuru Ashizawa, spokesman for the Imperial Household Agency, said the emperor’s blood pressure, pulse and temperature were normal and that he drank some water Saturday for the first time since his surgery.
News reports said Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko will shorten their scheduled visit to the United States, because Akihito is in charge of state matters during the 86-year-old emperor’s convalescence. The royal couple were scheduled to visit nine cities, including Charleston, W. Va., Atlanta, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Honolulu, from Oct. 3 to 0ct. 20.
News reports said they will cut their visit short by 10 days, visiting only Boston, Washington and New York.
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