Japan's ageing Emperor Akihito plans to step down in favour of his eldest son within a few years, Japanese media reported Wednesday, in what would be the first such royal abdication in two centuries.

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.

Japan's ageing Emperor Akihito travels to the Philippines this week to visit World War II memorials, his latest pacifist pilgrimage which appears increasingly at odds with the government's rightward ...

After serving for 30 years as emperor of Japan, 85-year-old Emperor Akihito has abdicated the Chrysanthemum Throne-becoming the first Japanese emperor to do so in 200 years. In the morning, he took ...