
Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko wave during a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, 12 November 2009. EPA/Junji Kurokawa/POOL

Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns as they acknowledge to the well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, 12 November 2009. EPA/Shizuo Kambayashi/POOL

Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko applaud from a bridge of the Imperial Palace during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, 12 November 2009. EPA/Shizuo Kambayashi/POOL

Japan's pop group EXILE performs before Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan12 November 2009. EPA/YURIKO NAKAO / POOL

Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns as they acknowledge to the well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, 12 November 2009. EPA/SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI - POOL

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R), fomer prime ministers Yasuo Fukuda (L) and Shinzo Abe (2-R) give three cheers as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance for well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, 12 November 2009. EPA/SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI - POOL

Japanese Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko stand on a bridge of the Imperial Palace as they make a public appearance during a special event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Akihito's coronation in front of the palace in Tokyo, Japan, 12 November 2009. EPA/SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI - POOL