The World - News from Oct. 11, 1988

Emperor Hirohito sent his thanks to the millions of Japanese who have offered prayers since he fell ill with intestinal bleeding. “Please convey my gratitude,” Hirohito was quoted as telling Imperial Household Agency chief Shoichi Fujimori, who visited the 87-year-old monarch. Three weeks after the emperor--who is believed to be suffering from abdominal cancer--began to vomit blood, the agency said more than 1.3 million well-wishers have signed registries praying for his recovery. Millions more have signed at other government offices. Meanwhile, police in southern Fukuoka Prefecture reported that anti-monarchists defaced a Shinto shrine and scattered leaflets reading, “Eradicate the monarchy now!”