Emperor Akihito , 77 , came down with a fever Thursday , an imperial spokesperson says . That said , the office 's involvement in day-to-day government affairs tends to be minimal . The Japanese leader was taken to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia and other ailments at around 4 p.m. local time in Tokyo's Akasaka Palace. He appeared `` fatigued and lost some resistance , '' adds the spokesperson . Born in 1933 , Akihito became emperor in 1989 .
Emperor Akihito , 77 , came down with a fever Thursday , an imperial spokesperson says . The Japanese leader was taken to the hospital for treatment of pneumonia and other ailments at around 4 p.m. local time in Tokyo's Akasaka Palace. He appeared `` fatigued and lost some resistance , '' adds the spokesperson . Born in 1933 , Akihito became emperor in 1989 .