The World - News from Dec. 5, 1988

The condition of Japanese Emperor Hirohito suddenly worsened after a massive loss of blood, a palace spokesman said in Tokyo. He said Imperial Household officials, including the emperor’s chief physician, rushed to the palace to treat him. He was given an emergency blood transfusion, which countered a a sudden drop in blood pressure. The 87-year-old emperor has been bedridden since he collapsed on Sept. 19, apparently due to abdominal cancer.