Japan imperial couple mark Diamond anniversary ahead of abdication 1 SHARES Share it! Share TweetBy ReutersTOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese Emperor Aikihito and Empress Michiko celebrated their Diamond anniversary on Wednesday, marking six decades of a marriage that helped modernize the monarchy. Akihito, 85, will abdicate on April 30 and be succeeded by his elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito. By tradition, royal children had been raised by wet nurses and royal helpers. Akihito has often expressed his gratitude to Michiko and on their 50th anniversary acknowledged he was not always “sufficiently considerate”, given their different backgrounds.

Source: Manila Bulletin April 10, 2019 03:33 UTC