MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd December, 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin wished a happy birthday to Japanese Emperor Akihito, who turned 85 on Sunday, and expressed confidence that the two countries' relations will continue to develop in the future.
"I would like to express confidence that Russian-Japanese relations will continue to develop for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," Putin said in a telegram of congratulations.
Akihito, who acceded to the throne back in 1989, is spending his last months as the Japanese emperor. On April 30, 2019, the monarch is set to become the country's first emperor to abdicate from the throne in about 200 years following Akihito's announcement two years ago that he would no longer be able to continue with his duty because of old age.
Akihito's eldest son, Prince Naruhito, is expected to succeed his father to the throne on May 1, 2019, to become Japan's 126th emperor.
