TOKYO (AP) — 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. Imperial Household Agency of Japan/Handout via Reuters Japan's Emperor Akihito participates in a ceremony called Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on April 30, 2019. Kim Kyung Hoon / Reuters Flags celebrating Reiwa, Japan's new imperial era, are displayed in Tokyo on April 30, 2019. ASSOCIATED PRESS Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako arrive at the Imperial Palace to attend the ceremony of Emperor Akihito's abdication in Tokyo. He is the first emperor in Japan’s modern history whose era did not have a war.

Source: Huffington Post April 30, 2019 09:22 UTC