Japan's Emperor Akihito, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne since 1989, declared his abdication in a historic ceremony on Tuesday.
The 85-year-old took this decision after admitting that he felt unable to fulfill his role because of his age and deteriorating health.
In 2016, he expressed fears that his age would be an obstacle for him to carry out his duties as emperor. He has become the first Japanese monarch to step down in more than 200 years.
Akihito's last public address
"Today, I am concluding my duties as the emperor,” Akihito said during his last official remarks as emperor.
“Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself most fortunate to have been able to do so. I sincerely thank the people who accepted and supported me in my role as the symbol of the state,” he added.
"I sincerely wish, together with the empress, that the Reiwa Era, which begins tomorrow, will be a stable and fruitful one, and I pray, with all my heart, for peace and happiness for all the people in Japan and around the world," the emperor noted.
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Akihito's Last Public Speech
Who is the next Emperor?
Akihito's eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito will be the next Japanese Emperor. Naruhito is set to ascend the throne on Wednesday, and he will become Japan's 126th emperor.
The incoming emperor was born in Tokyo in February 1960. He graduated from Oxford University. The 59-year-old is married to Crown Princess Masako, and they have only one child, Princess Aiko, who was born in 2001.
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The Incoming Emperor, "Naruhito."[/caption]
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