Tokyo (Japan), 14 July (LaPresse/AP) – Former Japanese Emperor Akihito, 91, was admitted to hospital today to adjust his heart treatment. Akihito was diagnosed in May with myocardial ischaemia, an asymptomatic heart condition characterised by reduced blood flow from the coronary arteries to the heart muscle. Since then, he has been receiving medication to improve blood flow to the heart and has been advised to avoid excessive exertion and reduce his fluid intake. After two months of treatment, doctors found no significant improvement in his condition and decided to give him additional treatment to ease the strain on his heart. This was reported by the Imperial Household Agency. Today's hospitalisation is intended to carefully determine the correct dosage of the new medication to avoid side effects, while monitoring his heart with electrocardiograms and other tests. Akihito abdicated in 2019, ceding the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son, the current Emperor Naruhito, and now holds the title of Emperor Emeritus. In 2012, Akihito underwent coronary bypass surgery. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with right heart failure caused by tricuspid valve insufficiency. Akihito was seen today being taken to hospital sitting in the back seat of a service car, wearing a white surgical mask and accompanied by his wife, Empress Emerita Michiko. Palace officials said they could not provide any information on the length of Akihito's hospital stay.