Japan Emperor Akihito Abdication Ceremony

Japan s Emperor Akihito walked down a corridor at the Imperial Palace grounds dressed in traditional robes on Tuesday, April 30, for a ritual ahead of his abdication. After the ritual, Akihito announced his abdication in favor of his elder son in a speech attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ending a threedecade reign. Today, I am concluding my duties as the emperor, Akihito said as he stood in front of the throne, as other members of the royal family and top government officials watched. His reign ru