Many happy returns Empress! Emperor Emeritus Akihito of Japan and his wife Michiko match in cream jackets as they walk hand-in-hand in pictures released to mark her 88th birthday

• Empress Emeritus Michiko of Japan is celebrating her 88th birthday this week 
• Released new picture of former Emperor Akihito and his wife taking a stroll 
• Snaps taken in picturesque gardens of imperial Akasaka residence in Tokyo

The Japanese royal household have shared new pictures of the former Imperial couple to mark Empress Emerita Michiko’s birthday. 

The mother of current emperor Nahurito looked very relaxed and in good health in the pictures released to celebrate her 88th birthday yesterday. 

In the snaps, she and Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who is also 88, could be seen taking a stroll hand-in-hand in the picturesque gardens of Akasaka palace, where the couple resides in Tokyo.

Akihito, who abdicated in favour of his son Nahurito in 2019, appeared in great spirits and seemed to be enjoying the simple pleasures of retirement with his wife. 

The couple wore matching cream jackets and were seen holding hands as they approached the cameras. 

The Japanese royal household have shared new pictures of the former Imperial couple in the picturesque gardens of Akasaka palace, where the couple resides in Tokyo to mark Empress Emerita Michiko’s 88th birthday

The mother of current Emperor Nahurito looked very relaxed and in good health in the pictures released to celebrate her 88th birthday 

Akihito, who abdicated in favour of his son Nahurito in 2019, appeared in great spirits and seemed to be enjoying the simple pleasures of retirement with his wife

The Empress Emerita looked very stylish, sporting a neat bun, with a pair of light frames sunglasses. 

She paired a cashmere jacket tied at the waist with  blue trousers and a pair of studded gold earrings and gold chain necklace.

Meanwhile, the Emperor Emeritus looked dapper in a pair of dark grey trousers.

He wore it with a purple and pink tie and a light blue shirt, and looked very smart in the outfit, with his hair sleeked back and parted in the middle. 

The former imperial couple beamed as they stepped out in the garden of the imperial residence holding hands 

The pictures were taken on October 4 and shared on the occasion of Michiko’s birthday yesterday. 

Akihito and Michiko have been living away from the spotlight after his 2019 abdication. 

The Japanese royal completed a ‘farewell’ tour following the announcement of his intention to leave his post in favour of his son, Nahurito, who ascended the throne later that week. 

Akihito, who became emperor in 1989, said at the time of his abdication that he was relieved that his reign was coming to an end without having seen Japan at war.

The sweet pictures were taken on October 4 and shared today on the occasion of Michiko’s birthday

The monarch’s 30-year reign of the Heisei was the only era without war in Japan’s modern history. 

He added it was important to keep telling younger people about his country’s wartime history. 

The historic announcement made him the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years. 

Akihito and Michiko have been living away from the spotlight after his 2019 abdication and seem to be enjoying a quiet, restful life 

The beautiful autumnal pictures showed the couple, who wore matching outfits for their outing 

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