Society

Imperial couple release special carp at palace

Nov 20 (NHK) - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko have released a special type of colored carp into a pond at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

The couple released 15 of the fish into the pond in "The East Gardens" on Monday.

The carp are a result of a crossbreeding experiment about 30 years ago, proposed by the Emperor, who is known for his scientific interest in fish. A Japanese nishikigoi was bred with a long-finned type from Indonesia.

The fish have been released into the same pond on 3 occasions since 1991. There were about 60 at one point but their number has declined to 19.

The Imperial Household Agency says the Emperor hopes to increase the population ahead of his planned abdication in April next year, so that visitors can enjoy the fish.

The more recent carp are said to have more beautiful fins than the original crossbred fish.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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