TOKYO, Japan: Japan’s former empress, Michiko, aged 89, is set to undergo a medical check-up after experiencing a fall at her home.
According to the imperial household, Michiko felt pain following the incident, prompting her visit to the hospital scheduled for Monday. Reports from Fuji Television and the Asahi Shimbun suggest that she may be hospitalized after the evaluation at the University of Tokyo Hospital.
This marks her first hospitalization since 2019 when she underwent surgery for early-stage breast cancer. As a pivotal figure in the Japanese imperial family, Michiko and her husband, former emperor Akihito, are credited with modernizing the monarchy and fostering a closer connection with the public.
Her journey from a commoner to empress began when she became the first commoner to marry an imperial heir, marrying Akihito in 1959.
Despite her influential role, Michiko has faced challenges, including right-wing criticism and media scrutiny, which have adversely affected her health. She has battled stress-related illnesses and endured severe health episodes, including intestinal bleeding and a temporary loss of voice. As she approaches her 90th birthday on October 20, the nation watches closely, hoping for her swift recovery .
