From the Emperor on down: Memories of the '64 Tokyo Olympics

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 1964, file photo, vapor trails from Japanese Self-Defense Force jets form the Olympic emblem of the five rings above the National Stadium in Tokyo for the official opening of the XVIII Olympiad, first even held in Asia. Every Japanese of a certain age has memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even younger Japanese have connections through parents or aunts and uncles who saved old photos, faded certificates, or recall getting a television for the first time to watch the Games. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 1964, file photo, balloons fly over Olympians and spectators during the opening ceremony of the 1964 Summer Olympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Every Japanese of a certain age has memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even younger Japanese have connections through parents or aunts and uncles who saved old photos, faded certificates, or recall getting a television for the first time to watch the Games. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 1964 file photo, Japanese runner Yoshinori Sakai lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Every Japanese of a certain age has memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even younger Japanese have connections through parents or aunts and uncles who saved old photos, faded certificates, or recall getting a television for the first time to watch the Games. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 1964, file photo, Japanese runner Yoshinori Sakai carries the Olympic Torch during the opening ceremonies of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Every Japanese of a certain age has memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Even younger Japanese have connections through parents or aunts and uncles who saved old photos, faded certificates, or recall getting a television for the first time to watch the Games. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 24, 1964, file photo, Emperor Hirohito, background, reads prepared speech as he formally opened the 47th extraordinary Diet (parliament) in Tokyo. Every Japanese of a certain age has memories of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Emperor Naurhito, whose grandfather Emperor Hirohito opened the Games, has his own memories. He was a 4 1/2 year-old child at the time and reminisced last week with guests, including American first lady Jill Biden. “I myself have a lasting memory of the closing ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where athletes from different countries paraded together shoulder to shoulder, not divided by country.” the Emperor said. (AP Photo, File)