Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Monday laid flowers at a cenotaph for victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Soma, Fukushima Prefecture in northeastern Japan.It is believed to be their last trip to the region before the 84-year-old emperor's abdication planned for next April 30 due to his age and failing health.According to the Imperial Household Agency, the empress had a fever of over 38 C due to overstrain before visiting the cenotaph, but performed her duty as scheduled. In the rain, the couple offered white chrysanthemums at the monument commemorating about 200 victims.The…READ FULL ARTICLE
