Japan’s Emperor Akihito, who turned 84 yesterday (Dec 23), has said that he wants to start preparing for the dawn of a new era after he abdicates on April 30, 2019. The Imperial Household Agency’s grand steward, Mr Shinichiro Yamamoto, said this month that Emperor Akihito hopes to step down in a ceremony that is “as simple as possible”. This will include costs to renovate the Takanawa residence in Tokyo, where Emperor Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko, 83, will move to after he steps down. Since Emperor Akihito ascended to the throne in 1989, Japan has marked Dec 23 as a national holiday. For instance, Culture Day on Nov 3 was the birthday of Emperor Mutsuhito – posthumously, Emperor Meiji.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 24, 2017 07:30 UTC