Japan emperor diagnosed as having arteriosclerosis

Tokyo, Feb 12 (Kyodo) Japanese Emperor Akihito hasbeen diagnosed with arteriosclerosis in his cardiac bloodvessels the Imperial Household Agency said.Friday and

Akihito will be under medication, and it is expectedthat the 77-year-old emperor will continue carrying out hisnormal duties and activities as usual, the agency saidyesterday.

According to the agency, the stiffening of thearteries was discovered during a medical check using contrastagent on his artery leading to the heart at the University ofTokyo Hospital.

The emperor can continue his official duties andexercise such as tennis and walking, said Ichiro Kanazawa,imperial household medical supervisor.

''''I asked the emperor to let his personal doctor knowimmediately if he feels any kinds of symptoms such as pain inthe chest,'''' Kanazawa said.

Empress Michiko accompanied her husband to thehospital, it said. (Kyodo)