Emperor Akihito's Mark on Modern Japan Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email Emperor Akihito Of Japan greets the public at the Imperial Palace on December 23, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. Emperor Akihito of Japan turned 81 on December 23, 2014. ( Jun Sato / Getty ) Produced by Oliver Lazarus Produced by PRI and WNYC