Emperor Akihito , however , came down with a cold Thursday , an imperial spokesperson says . On January 7 , 1989 , following the death of his father Hirohito , Akihito became emperor . He also has been suffering from a worsening form of diabetes . He appeared ` ` times and lost some resistance , '' adds the spokesperson . Born in 1933 , he became emperor in 1989 .
Emperor Akihito , however , came down with a cold Thursday , an imperial spokesperson says . He also has been suffering from a worsening form of diabetes . He appeared ` ` times and lost some resistance , '' adds the spokesperson . Born in 1933 , he became emperor in 1989 .