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Japanese Emperor Akihito declares historic abdication Japanese Emperor Akihito declares historic abdication
(32 minutes later)
Japan's Emperor Akihito has declared his abdication and delivered his last public address as emperor, in a historic ceremony in Tokyo. Japan's Emperor Akihito has declared his abdication in a historic ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
He is the first Japanese monarch to stand down in more than 200 years. In his last public address as emperor, Akihito handed over the symbols of power and thanked the public for their support during his 30-year reign.
The 85-year-old was given permission to abdicate after saying he felt unable to fulfil his role because of his age and declining health.The 85-year-old was given permission to abdicate after saying he felt unable to fulfil his role because of his age and declining health.
Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the throne on Wednesday, beginning a new era. He is the first Japanese monarch to stand down in more than 200 years.
The emperor in Japan holds no political power but serves as a national figurehead. Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the throne on Wednesday, beginning a new era - called Reiwa - in Japan's unique calendar.
Making his final speech in a Western-style morning coat, Akihito said he "wished Japan and the world peace and prosperity". While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.
"I am deeply grateful for the people that accepted me as a symbol and supported me," he said.
"Along with the empress consort, I hope from my heart the Reiwa era will be peaceful and fruitful, and I hereby pray for the well-being and happiness of our country and people of the world."
After helping his wife, Empress Michiko, down the steps, the emperor turned and bowed towards the gathered officials as he left the room.
Akihito's reign has been marked by his interactions with people suffering from disease and disaster, which have endeared him to many Japanese people.Akihito's reign has been marked by his interactions with people suffering from disease and disaster, which have endeared him to many Japanese people.
What happened at the abdication ceremony?What happened at the abdication ceremony?
In the first private ceremonies of the day, the emperor reported his abdication to the mythological ancestors of Japan's imperial family. In the morning, the emperor took part in a Shinto ceremony to report his plans to the mythological ancestors of Japan's imperial family.
The Taiirei-Seiden-nogi, or main Ceremony of the Abdication of His Majesty the Emperor, took place at the Matsu-no-Ma state room in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The main "Ceremony of the Abdication" took place in a state room of the Imperial Palace in front of about 300 people including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Crown Prince Naruhito, and Crown Princess Masako.
Over 300 people attended, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Crown Prince Naruhito, and Crown Princess Masako. Imperial chamberlains carried the state and privy seals into the hall, along with a sacred sword and a jewel which are considered symbols of the imperial family.
It began at 17:00 local time (08:00 GMT) and lasted around 10 minutes. In a short ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressed the emperor, saying: "While keeping in our hearts the path that the emperor has walked, we will make utmost efforts to create a bright future for a proud Japan that is full of peace and hope."
Imperial chamberlains carried Japan's state and privy seals into the hall, along with a sacred sword and a jewel which are considered symbols of the imperial family. Then in his final speech Akihito, wearing a Western-style morning coat, said he "wished Japan and the world peace and prosperity".
Speaking ahead of the emperor's address, Prime Minister Abe said: "While keeping in our hearts the path that the emperor has walked, we will make utmost efforts to create a bright future for a proud Japan that is full of peace and hope." "I am deeply grateful for the people that accepted me as a symbol and supported me," he said.
The ceremony ended with Akihito's final address, though he will technically be emperor until midnight. "Along with the empress consort, I hope from my heart the Reiwa era will be peaceful and fruitful, and I hereby pray for the well-being and happiness of our country and people of the world."
Tuesday's events were the first time anyone alive had watched a Japanese abdication ceremony. After helping his wife, Empress Michiko, down the steps of the ceremonial platform, the emperor bowed towards the gathered officials then left the room.
On Wednesday morning, Crown Prince Naruhito will inherit the Imperial Treasures in his first ritual as emperor. He will technically remain emperor until midnight.
On Wednesday morning, Crown Prince Naruhito will inherit the Imperial Treasures and assume the throne.
Why did the emperor decide to abdicate?Why did the emperor decide to abdicate?
Akihito is the first Japanese monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne since 1817. The 85-year-old had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003 and a heart bypass operation in 2012.
The 85-year-old said in a rare address in 2016 that he feared his age would make it hard for him to carry out his duties and strongly hinted that he wanted to stand down. In a rare speech in 2016, he said that he feared his age would make it hard for him to carry out his duties and strongly hinted that he wanted to stand down.
"When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State," he said then. Opinion polls showed that the vast majority of Japan sympathised with the emperor and a year later parliament enacted a law that made his abdication possible.
Akihito had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003 and a heart bypass operation in 2012. Who is the incoming emperor?
Opinion polls showed that the vast majority of Japan sympathised with the emperor's desire to retire and a year later parliament enacted a law that made his abdication possible. Prince Naruhito will become Japan's 126th emperor - and will officially lead the country into the new Reiwa era. It will mark the end of the current Heisei era, which began when Akihito ascended the throne in 1989.
Who is the crown prince? The 59-year-old Oxford University graduate is married to Crown Princess Masako. Their only child, Princess Aiko, was born in 2001.
Prince Naruhito is set to become Japan's 126th emperor - and will officially lead the country into the new Reiwa era. It will mark the end of the current Heisei era, which began when Akihito ascended the throne in 1989. Japan's current law prohibits women from inheriting the throne so Princess Aiko's uncle Prince Fumihito is now first in line, followed by her cousin, 12-year-old Prince Hisahito.
The 59-year-old Naruhito attended Oxford University and become crown prince at the age of 28.
In 1986, he reportedly met his wife Crown Princess Masako Owada at a tea party. They married in 1993.
The couple's only child, Princess Aiko, was born in 2001. However, Japan's current law restricts females from inheriting the throne so she is not her father's heir.
Her uncle Prince Fumihito is first in line to the throne, followed by her cousin, 12-year-old Prince Hisahito.
How are Japanese people marking the handover?
The country's Golden Week break - its annual spring holiday - has been extended to a record 10 days this year to mark the ascension of the new emperor.
The abdication is seen as an almost festive affair, in contrast to when Emperor Akihito succeeded his father 30 years ago following his death, while the country was in mourning.
This time, people will be going on holidays, flocking to cinemas, or staying at home to watch the abdication and ascension ceremonies - which will both be broadcast live.
Many said they would miss the departing emperor, who will now hold the title "Joko", which means "grand emperor" - and the English title "Emperor Emeritus".
"I think the emperor is loved by the people," Morio Miyamoto told Reuters news agency. "His image is one of encouraging the people, such as after disasters, and being close to the people."
"The emperor worked very hard for 30 years so I hope the handing over of the baton to the new emperor will go smoothly," Mikiko Fujii told the agency.
"I'm sad but also hopeful about the next era. I hope it will be a peaceful, gentle period for the second half of my life," said Masatoshi Kujirai, on his way to a Shinto shrine to mark the day.
Why is the Japanese monarchy important?Why is the Japanese monarchy important?
It's the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world. Legends date it back to about 600 BC.It's the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world. Legends date it back to about 600 BC.
In fact, Japanese emperors used to be seen as gods, but the country's previous emperor Hirohito - the father of Akihito - publicly renounced his divinity at the end of World War Two, as part of Japan's surrender. The emperors used to be seen as gods, but Hirohito - the father of Akihito - publicly renounced his divinity as part of Japan's surrender at the end of World War Two.
It was Emperor Akihito who helped repair the damage to Japan's reputation after the war. It was Emperor Akihito who helped repair Japan's post-war reputation.
Previous emperors rarely interacted with the public, but Akihito redefined the role - and has come to be known for his compassion.Previous emperors rarely interacted with the public, but Akihito redefined the role - and has come to be known for his compassion.
In 1991, two years after he ascended the throne, Akihito and the empress broke with norms and kneeled down to speak to people affected by a volcanic eruption in Nagasaki. In 1991, two years after he ascended the throne, Akihito and the empress broke with norms and knelt down to speak to people affected by a volcanic eruption in Nagasaki.
Their interactions with people suffering from chronic diseases such as leprosy, who have been marginalised in Japan, were also a sharp departure from the past. Akihito also took up the role of a diplomat, becoming an unofficial ambassador for Japan and travelling abroad extensively.
Finally, Akihito also took up the role of a diplomat, becoming an unofficial ambassador for Japan and travelling extensively to other countries - something Naruhito is expected to continue.
While Tuesday sees the first abdication in 200 years, it wasn't so rare historically.While Tuesday sees the first abdication in 200 years, it wasn't so rare historically.
According to Japan's state broadcaster NHK, about half the country's emperors or empresses have done the same, and it happened frequently from the 8th Century to the 19th Century.According to Japan's state broadcaster NHK, about half the country's emperors or empresses have done the same, and it happened frequently from the 8th Century to the 19th Century.
How are Japanese people marking the handover?
The Golden Week break - Japan's annual spring holiday - has been extended to a record 10 days to mark the occasion.
When Emperor Akihito succeeded his late father the country was in mourning, but this time people will be going on holidays, to cinemas, or staying at home to watch the events on TV.
Many said they would miss the departing emperor, who will now hold the title "Joko", which means "grand emperor" - and the English title "Emperor Emeritus".
"I think the emperor is loved by the people," Morio Miyamoto told Reuters news agency. "His image is one of encouraging the people, such as after disasters, and being close to the people."
"The emperor worked very hard for 30 years so I hope the handing over of the baton to the new emperor will go smoothly," Mikiko Fujii told the agency.
"I'm sad but also hopeful about the next era. I hope it will be a peaceful, gentle period for the second half of my life," said Masatoshi Kujirai, on his way to a Shinto shrine to mark the day.
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