16 JANUARY 2003
Emperor Akihito of Japan was admitted to hospital on Thursday, three days before he is scheduled to have surgery for prostate cancer. The head of the world's oldest royal dynasty, he has transferred his constitutional duties to his 42-year-old son Crown Prince Naruhito, the first time a reigning emperor has done so due to illness.

Empress Michiko was at her husband's side as he entered the University of Tokyo Hospital for the Saturday operation. Never before has a Japanese emperor been treated at a public medical facility, marking yet another historical first. A spokesman for the royal family confirmed that Akihito will stay in a private room at the hospital but has asked for little special treatment so he does not disturb other patients.

Akihito, 69, is expected to remain hospitalised for at least a month – meanwhile, his subjects have begun to sign books at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo wishing for his quick recovery.

The emperor, who was diagnosed with the disease last month, ascended the throne on January 7, 1989, after the death of his father Hirohito of intestinal cancer.