Japanese emperor leaves hospital after surgery

JAPAN: Japan's Emperor Akihito left hospital on Sunday, 15 days after undergoing a successful heart bypass operation.

The 78-year-old emperor, accompanied by Empress Michiko, was discharged from University of Tokyo hospital and returned to the palace, an AFP photographer witnessed.

The couple waved from their car to dozens of well-wishers waiting for their return outside the palace.

Surgeons carried out the operation on February 18 -- the emperor's first since he was treated in 2003 for prostate cancer -- after tests showed a narrowing of two of his coronary arteries.

They earlier said the four-hour operation had gone well and the emperor might be able return home in two weeks.

During his recuperation, Akihito's first son Crown Prince Naruhito has been handling official duties such as attending public ceremonies and meeting state guests. But Japanese media said the emperor hopes to attend a national mourning ceremony in Tokyo marking the first anniversary of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster, which left more than 19,000 dead and missing.

AFP