Japan emperor diagnosed as having arteriosclerosis

TOKYO, Feb. 11 Kyodo - Japanese Emperor Akihito was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis in his cardiac blood vessels Friday and will be under medication, the Imperial Household Agency said, adding it is expected the 77-year-old emperor will continue carrying out his normal duties and activities as usual.
The stiffening of the arteries was discovered during a medical check using contrast agent on his artery leading to the heart at the University of Tokyo Hospital, the agency said.
The emperor will stay the night at the hospital and return to the Imperial Palace on Saturday, according to the agency.
The emperor can continue his official duties and exercise such as tennis and walking, said Ichiro Kanazawa, imperial household medical supervisor. ''I asked the emperor to let his personal doctor know immediately if he feels any kinds of symptoms such as pain in the chest,'' Kanazawa said.
Empress Michiko accompanied her husband to the hospital, it said.