Emperor Emeritus Akihito, the father of Emperor Naruhito, turned 91 on Monday.

The emperor emeritus spends his days caring for Empress Emerita Michiko, 90, who broke her right thigh bone in October.

He reads newspapers every morning and evening and watches television news during meals to keep an eye on domestic and international trends, according to aides.

Akihito is especially concerned about the lives of residents in the Noto Peninsula affected by an earthquake and heavy rain that hit the region earlier this year.

He became very concerned when the empress emerita broke her bone, his aides said. He welcomed her home to the Sento Imperial Residence from hospital on Oct. 13.

The empress emerita has recovered to the point where she can walk without using a walking stick. The couple has been taking morning and evening walks together since the start of this month.

Akihito watches documentary programs about World War II around the anniversary of the end of the war, with memories of the war and his daily life being deeply connected even at present.

He also continues his research on the classification of goby fish at the Imperial Palace.

The emperor emeritus was deeply sorrowful over the death of his aunt, Princess Yuriko, at the age of 101 in November.

While supporting Michiko, who was then walking with a stick, he paid four visits to the princess at her residence prior to her death.

With Princess Yuriko's death, the emperor emeritus is now the oldest member of the imperial family.

In July 2022, Akihito was diagnosed with right heart failure, and his level of B-type natriuretic peptide, a heart failure biomarker, is still elevated presently.

He also has a small amount of pleural effusion, but his condition remains relatively stable as a result of medical treatment that includes drugs and the restriction of his fluid intake.