In this handout¹ photo released by Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Emperor Akihito (L) accompanied by Empress Michiko, speaks during their news conference at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo April 8, 2009, prior to their golden wedding celebration on April 10.

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko marked their 50th wedding anniversary Friday with a series of celebrations, including a gala party with 100 couples who are also celebrating 50 years of marriage.

The royal couple wed² on April 10, 1959, when Akihito was crown prince.

"Throughout our marriage, the empress has understood the significance of my position and duties, and in private life, she has always stood by me and has been very devoted³ to my family," Akihito, 75, said during a news conference Wednesday ahead of the anniversary, with his 74-year-old wife sitting next to him.

"I know she has encountered sadness and difficulties many times, but the empress has endured them with great patience," the emperor said. "If there is something that I would give her for our 50th wedding anniversary, it would be a certificate of gratitude⁴."

Their wedding was a national sensation that also marked the beginning of Japan's postwar economic boom.

Michiko, who was the first commoner to marry into the royal family, became a national icon⁵ of gracefulness⁶ and intelligence. She said she felt insecure and anxious to join the royal family, and the 50 years together were "long and hard at times."

"It's like a dream to be able to celebrate the day of our golden wedding right next to the emperor today," Michiko said.

Several events were scheduled to mark the event, including the evening party, a private family dinner and visits with government officials. The public also turned out to sign congratulatory guest books outside Tokyo's Imperial Palace.

Palace life in Japan is deeply shaped by tradition, and members of the imperial family are rarely able to speak their opinions or show their casual side in public.

Japan's royal family has been hit by a spate⁷ of illnesses recently, with both Akihito and Michiko cutting back their official appearances because of stress-related health problems. Masako, the wife of their son Crown Prince Naruhito, is still recovering from a form of depression.

日本明仁天皇和皇后美智子于上周五迎来他们的结婚50周年纪念日，当天日本皇室为此举办了一系列庆祝活动，其中包括100对夫妇共庆金婚纪念日的宴会。

天皇夫妇于1959年4月10日喜结连理，当时明仁天皇还是皇太子。

在上周三庆典前夕举行的新闻发布会上，75岁的明仁天皇与74岁的皇后并肩而坐。天皇说：“结婚这么多年来，皇后非常理解我所处的位置和职责的重要性，在个人生活中，她一直很支持我，而且为我的家庭付出了很多。”

天皇说：“我知道她遇到过很多悲伤和困难，但她都以极大的忍耐力去面对。在我们结婚50周年纪念日之际，如果我有什么能送给她的话，那就是一份感激。”

明仁天皇和美智子皇后的婚礼当年在日本国内引发了轰动，同时标志着日本开始步入战后经济繁荣。

作为第一位以平民身份嫁入日本皇室的女子，美智子在日本成为优雅和智慧的象征。美智子称她初入皇室之时感到没有安全感，并迫切希望融入皇室家庭，这50年对于她来说“有时漫长而艰难”。

美智子说：“今天能与天皇坐在一起，共同庆祝我们的金婚纪念日，真像做梦一样。”

当天的几项庆祝活动包括晚会、家庭私人宴会以及与政府官员会面。在位于东京的皇宫外，前来道贺的民众也在宾客留言簿上写下了祝福。

日本的皇室生活十分传统，皇室家庭的成员很少能在公共场合发表意见或表现得很随意。

最近皇室成员身体欠佳，由于压力导致的健康问题，天皇夫妇削减了公务活动。他们的儿子皇太子德仁的王妃雅子仍处于抑郁症恢复之中。