Japan’s Emperor Akihito speaks during the ceremony of his abdication in front of other members of the royal families and top government officials at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. (Japan Pool via AP) (Associated Press)TOKYO — Japanese Emperor Akihito announced his abdication at a palace ceremony Tuesday in his final address, as the nation embraced the end of his reign with reminiscence and hope for a new era. His reign runs through midnight, when his son Crown Prince Naruhito, who observed Akihito’s abdication ceremony, becomes the new emperor and his era begins. Still, Japan was in festive mood over a change in an imperial era not caused by death. He is the first emperor in Japan’s modern history whose era did not have a war.

Source: Washington Post April 30, 2019 01:04 UTC