While Japan also uses the Western calendar, years are traditionally counted from the start of the reign of each emperor. He would be succeeded by his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, who is 56. NHK Wednesday cited unidentified people at the Imperial Household Agency and said the Crown Prince and other family members accepted Akihito’s wishes. Japan’s Emperor Akihito, the first to serve from the outset in a purely ceremonial role, signaled his wish to step down in a matter of years, national broadcaster NHK reported. The Crown Prince served as regent while his father was recovering.

Source: National Post July 13, 2016 13:41 UTC