TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS~**TV TOKYO - NO ACCESS JAPAN/CLEARED FOR INTERNET USE, EXCEPT BY JAPANESE WEBSITES / BBC WORLD, CNN, NBC, CNBC MUST ON-SCREEN COURTESY 'TV TOKYO' IF PICTURES TO BE SHOWN ON CABLE, COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE IN JAPAN.*~<br/> Thousands of well-wishers march across a bridge into the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to celebrate the 78th birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito.<br/> The Emperor has taken a more visible role this year, as he made an unprecedented television address to the nation after the March earthquake and tsunami, and also travelled to the disaster zone.<br/> Flanked by other members of the royal family, including Empress Michiko, the Emperor addressed the crowd from the balcony of the Imperial Palace.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE EMPEROR AKIHITO SAYING:<br/> "Learning about the large numbers of people who with their strength supported the survivors of the March 11 disasters, I truly believe they have given what is needed to have a strong heart during these times."<br/> The Japanese Emperor has no political role, but is considered a symbol of the state.<br/> His birthday is a national holiday.<br/> Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
