Emperor Akihito has been worried over the issue of Imperial succession and "various" other matters, Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa has said, commenting on the stress attributed as the cause of the Emperor's digestive system disorder.

Emperor Akihito KYODO PHOTO

The Emperor, who will turn 75 on Dec. 23, had gastric erosion, and a residue of bleeding in the stomach and the duodenum deemed to have been caused by physical and psychological stress, as well as age, the agency said earlier.

He canceled some official duties in early December due to an irregular pulse and a temporary surge in blood pressure.

As an example of his worries, Haketa mentioned Dec. 11 that a polyp had been found in Crown Prince Naruhito's duodenum during a checkup in March 2007.