THOUSANDS flocked to Japan’s Imperial Palace on Tuesday to celebrate the 81st birthday of Emperor Akihito.

    The soft-spoken monarch greeted well-wishers from a glass-covered balcony at the Imperial Palace, flanked by Empress Michiko and other members of the royal household.

    The Imperial Palace said about 23,300 people attended his birthday address, waving small Japanese flags and shouting “Banzai” or “long live.” The palace is opened to the general public twice a year — on the emperor’s birthday and the second day of New Year — for the royal family to greet well-wishers.

    In an interview released by the Imperial Household Agency earlier in the day, Akihito recalled the calamity of the World War II.

    “More than 3 million Japanese people lost their lives during World War II,” Akihito said. “To ensure that those people did not die in vain, I believe it is our duty as survivors, as well as our responsibility to future generations, to always continue to strive toward a better Japan.” (SD-Agencies)