Japanese royals are married 50 years

TOKYO, March 12 (UPI) -- Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, marking their 50th wedding anniversary, have invited 101 couples also married for 50 years to a tea party.

Kyodo News said the royals want to share their joy with other long-married pairs by inviting them to a get-together at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo April 10.

Between one and three couples have been invited from each of Japan's 47 prefectures, the news agency said.