Japanese emperor's heart surgery successful

TOKYO -- Japan's 78-year-old Emperor Akihito underwent successful heart bypass surgery Saturday that should allow him to lead a more active life, a palace official said.

The operation lasted about five hours as expected, and Akihito was being monitored in an intensive care unit at the University of Tokyo Hospital, the official from the Imperial Household Agency said.

Akihito was scheduled for the surgery after tests last weekend showed his heart condition had worsened from a year ago. Two of three narrowed coronary arteries were repaired using a blood vessel from another part of his body, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

Japanese media reported doctors intended to use "off-pump" surgery and that the medical team included a specialist in the method, Atsushi Amano from Juntendo University Hospital. By not using an artificial cardiopulmonary machine, "off-pump" surgery is considered easier on a patient.

It wasn't immediately known if that method was used. Doctors were to provide details of Akihito's operation in a news conference later Saturday.

Nearly 20,000 heart bypass operations were done in Japan last year. About half of those used the off-pump method, according to the Japanese Association for Coronary Artery Surgery.

He is expected to be released in about two or three weeks if there are no complications, the palace official said.

The soft-spoken Akihito holds no political power but is extremely popular with Japanese people as a symbol of the nation. He is often seen playing tennis, enjoying music and taking walks with his wife, Empress Michiko.

Although he is still generally in good health, Akihito has developed various health problems in recent years, including pneumonia late last year and prostate cancer in 2003. He has cut back on public duties but still appears regularly at events.

Michiko accompanied the emperor overnight and their daughter, formerly known as Princess Nori who married a commoner and became Sayako Kuroda, visited the hospital Saturday.

Akihito performed his regular duties Thursday, including meeting with four Japanese ambassadors and elementary school officials. Crown Prince Naruhito, Akihito's son, will perform such duties while the emperor is in hospital.

A special notebook has been set up at the palace for get-well messages, but the emperor does not accept gifts or flowers, the palace said.