Japanese Emperor Akihito, in his final remarks as his three-decade reign drew to a close on Tuesday, thanked the people for their support and expressed hope for a peaceful future. The popular Akihito was the first monarch to take the Chrysanthemum Throne under a post-war constitution that defines the emperor as a symbol of the people without political power. "I hope the next emperor will, like the Heisei emperor, be close to the people in the same way," he said. Tuesday marks the last day of the Heisei imperial era, which began on Jan. 8, 1989, after Akihito inherited the throne. Akihito officially remains emperor until midnight, when the new Reiwa era, meaning "beautiful harmony", begins.

Source: dna April 30, 2019 08:26 UTC