In an unfortunate incident, former Empress Michiko of Japan, who is 89 years old, suffered a fall at her home on the evening of October 6. Following the accident, she experienced considerable pain in her right leg. The next day, she was taken to the University of Tokyo Hospital for further evaluation, where doctors confirmed she had fractured her right thigh bone. By 7:30 AM on October 8, she successfully underwent surgery.
Currently, details about her hospital stay and when she might be discharged are still unclear.
According to reports from NHK and Kyodo News, the fall took place in the Sento Imperial Palace, situated in the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo’s Minato ward. It appears she lost her balance while standing, leading to the painful injury. This palace serves as the current residence for the former emperor and empress following their abdication.
In an interesting note, Japanese media revealed that just a day before her fall, Michiko had visited the University of Tokyo Hospital for a routine check-up. That evening, former Emperor Akihito came to show his support, and the couple attentively reviewed her medical results together. Prior to her fall, Michiko had been joining her husband on daily walks.
As NHK reports, Michiko is approaching her 90th birthday, which she will celebrate on October 20. Her most recent hospitalization prior to this incident was in September 2019, when she underwent surgery for early-stage breast cancer.
