Palace Denies Hirohito Is Nearly Comatose
United Press International
TOKYO —
The Imperial Palace on Monday denied reports that Emperor Hirohito is in a near-coma, saying the 87-year-old monarch still reacts to various stimuli, including light.
Despite the denial, the Kyodo News Service reported Monday night that Hirohito, who is believed to have abdominal cancer, “is now nearly comatose.”
Hirohito suffered another plunge in his blood pressure Monday morning, but he recovered in the afternoon after doctors administered a transfusion of nearly a pint of blood, the palace said.
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