In final comments before stepping down, he said he would “pray for the peace and happiness of all the people in Japan and around the world”. EPA
Emperor Akihito arrives at his abdication ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Getty
People visit the outer garden at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on the day of Emperor Akihito's abdication. Getty
Emperor Akihito, 85, is the first Japanese emperor to abdicate the throne in the modern era. EPA
His successor is his eldest son, who will be crowned emperor on May 1, which will mark the beginning of the Reiwa period. AFP
Japanese Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Sanctuary. EPA
Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, in a car, returns to the Crown Prince's Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday. AP
People look at a map next to the screening of a news report on Emperor Akihito in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
People take pictures near the Double Bridges at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP
A huge screen shows Japan's Emperor Akihito leaving after a ritual to report his abdication to the throne. AP
Akihito will technically remain emperor until the stroke of midnight when Naruhito takes over and the new era of "Reiwa" – meaning "beautiful harmony" – begins, lasting for as long as he reigns. AP
In final comments before stepping down, he said he would “pray for the peace and happiness of all the people in Japan and around the world”. EPA
Emperor Akihito arrives at his abdication ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Getty
People visit the outer garden at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on the day of Emperor Akihito's abdication. Getty
Emperor Akihito, 85, is the first Japanese emperor to abdicate the throne in the modern era. EPA
His successor is his eldest son, who will be crowned emperor on May 1, which will mark the beginning of the Reiwa period. AFP
Japanese Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Sanctuary. EPA
Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito, in a car, returns to the Crown Prince's Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday. AP
People look at a map next to the screening of a news report on Emperor Akihito in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
People take pictures near the Double Bridges at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. AFP
A huge screen shows Japan's Emperor Akihito leaving after a ritual to report his abdication to the throne. AP
Akihito will technically remain emperor until the stroke of midnight when Naruhito takes over and the new era of "Reiwa" – meaning "beautiful harmony" – begins, lasting for as long as he reigns. AP
In final comments before stepping down, he said he would “pray for the peace and happiness of all the people in Japan and around the world”. EPA
