[video]https://youtu.be/SDWNfEtyGWU[/video]
[QUOTE]TOKYO: The biggest crowds of his nearly three-decade reign thronged Japan's Imperial Palace on Friday (Dec 23) to celebrate Emperor Akihito's 83rd birthday on what could be his last such appearance after expressing his desire to abdicate.
It was his first birthday since he announced in August that his advancing age and weakening health mean he may no longer be able to carry out his duties, setting the stage for Japan to prepare for an historic abdication.
The Imperial Palace said some 33,300 people - the biggest crowd since Akihito ascended to the throne in 1989 - attended his birthday address, waving small Japanese flags as crowds shouted "Banzai" or "Long live".
"If this is going to be his last time, I'm glad I got to see him," said Reiko Takahashi.
Also attending the emperor's address, Takako Miyazaki expressed the view of many Japanese.
"The emperor is quite old and if he says he wants to abdicate I think he should be allowed to," she said.
Flanked by Empress Michiko and other members of the royal household, the soft-spoken monarch greeted well-wishers from a glass-covered balcony at the palace, surrounded by stone walls and mossy moats.
"I wish you all health and happiness, and I pray the next year will be cheerful and peaceful," the emperor said in his address.
Ahead of his birthday, Akihito thanked the country for considering his message indicating his desire to abdicate, telling reporters: "I am profoundly grateful that many people have lent an ear to my words and are giving sincere thought to the matter in their respective positions."[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/huge-crowds-cheer-japan-emperor-on-83rd-birthday/3389774.html[/url]
So used to seeing "NAME dies at AGE" with a heart topic picture, that glimpsing at the title I thought he died.
[QUOTE=Chains!;51573044]So used to seeing "NAME dies at AGE" with a heart topic picture, that glimpsing at the title I thought he died.[/QUOTE]
Nope, just that time of the year where everyone dresses up nice aaaaaand I get to wait in super heavy traffic, every hour was rush hour today. It get's better, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and people are going to wait in loooong lines for hours to pick up their KFC they preordered months prior. :v:
[QUOTE=Ta16;51573059]Nope, just that time of the year where everyone dresses up nice aaaaaand I get to wait in super heavy traffic, every hour was rush hour today. It get's better, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and people are going to wait in loooong lines for hours to pick up their KFC they preordered months prior. :v:[/QUOTE]
People reserve KFC for Christmas?
[QUOTE=Tuskin;51573168]People reserve KFC for Christmas?[/QUOTE]
And New Years eve. I can take a picture of it and post it if you want, it's technically already the 24th here.
The KFC tradition blindsided me when i was over there. I walked by a KFC on christmas and the line was out the fucking door. I gotta say KFC are geniuses, they created a tradition based off of fucking nothing and make shitloads of money every december because of it.
[QUOTE=Tuskin;51573168]People reserve KFC for Christmas?[/QUOTE]
When you completely forget about dinner, it's the next best thing to contribute.
I personally go for greek food.
Happy birthday Akihito.
banzai
He wants to abdicate because he knows he can't compete for the title of Royal Relic against good old Betsy II. [IMG]https://fi.somethingawful.com/images/smilies/emot-britain.gif[/IMG]
I feel bad for not knowing Japans Emperor was a sweet little old man.
[QUOTE=Tuskin;51573168]People reserve KFC for Christmas?[/QUOTE]
KFC is like THE Christmas food in Japan: [url]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/11/kfc-japan-christmas_n_6310148.html[/url]
[QUOTE=Mr.Brown;51573891]banzai[/QUOTE]
bonsai
[QUOTE=Tuskin;51573168]People reserve KFC for Christmas?[/QUOTE]
kfc somehow put in peoples heads that americans get fried chicken for christmas so you can be cool by getting fried chicken for christmas.
honestly even though america doesnt have that tradition i feel like it should be adopted
[QUOTE=Wii60;51576103]kfc somehow put in peoples heads that americans get fried chicken for christmas so you can be cool by getting fried chicken for christmas.
honestly even though america doesnt have that tradition i feel like it should be adopted[/QUOTE]
Spicy hot chicken on a piss cold night always warms the soul.
Also, Banzai.
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