Japan's Emperor Akihito addresses at the House of Councillors plenary session in Tokyo, Japan, on August 1. Kyodo/Reuters. Japan's left is deeply suspicious of Abe's desire for constitutional change.

Akihito, along with Empress Michiko and the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, attended a short ceremony at 5 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) in the Matsu-no-Ma state room of the Imperial Palace.

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.

Emperor Akihito Gives Up The Japanese Throne The 85-year-old emperor is the first to retire in more than 200 years. His son, the Crown Prince Naruhito, will become emperor on Wednesday.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito said Monday that the he worries his health will prevent him from fulfilling his duties as the head of state. Hurricane-prone states The day in pictures Get the USA TODAY ...

Japan’s much-loved Emperor Akihito will stand down on April 30, 2019, becoming the first Japanese monarch to abdicate his post in two centuries.

Japan's 83-year-old Emperor Akihito will abdicate on April 30, 2019, capping a three-decade reign on the Chrysanthemum Throne, the Imperial Household Council said Friday ...

The emperor of Japan wants to abdicate his throne for health reasons, but according to the country’s Constitution, he can’t even express that wish much less fulfill it. Emperor Akihito, 82 ...

TOKYO — Emperor Akihito abdicated Japan's throne Tuesday, becoming the country's first to do so in more than two centuries. Akihito, 85, visited a shrine to report his retirement to Shinto gods ...

Japanese Emperor Akihito turned 84 on December 23, 2017. Akihito is the 125th Emperor of Japan, a direct descendant of Japan's first emperor Jimmu, circa 660 B.C.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito formally abdicated Tuesday during a historic ceremony in Tokyo, becoming the country’s first monarch to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne in two centuries.