Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Friday hosted their last garden party before an imperial succession next year, enjoying exchanges with distinguished guests.The event is held in spring and autumn at Tokyo's Akasaka Imperial Gardens. As the imperial family will be busy with ceremonies before and after Emperor Akihito's planned abdication in April, garden parties are unlikely to take place in either season next year.Signaling the significance of the event, Crown Princess Masako, who has long been battling a stress-induced illness, stayed until the end of the event on Friday for the firs…READ FULL ARTICLE
