Japanese Pay Respects to Hirohito
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TOKYO — More than 160,000 Japanese filed past a portrait of the late Emperor Hirohito on Sunday as the Imperial Palace gates were opened to the public for the first time since the monarch died two weeks ago.
Officials said 164,300 people had visited by late Sunday, the first of three days the palace will be open to the public.
Security around the palace was tight, with traffic sealed off. Police say at least six ultra-leftist groups have threatened to disrupt observances for the emperor.
Japanese government leaders already have paid their respects to Hirohito, whose state funeral is scheduled Feb. 24.
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