Tokyo  - Japanese Emperor Akihito has been ordered to rest by his doctors after being diagnosed with an irregular pulse and increased blood pressure, the emperor's office said Wednesday.

Akihito, who turns 75 on December 23, had been complaining about an usual feeling in his chest two weeks ago and was suffering from increased blood pressure on Tuesday, the Imperial Household Agency was quoted as saying by the news agency Kyoto.

All his appointments up to Thursday were cancelled including a meeting with Polish President Lech Kaczynski on Thursday. (dpa)