Japan's Emperor Akihito to step down in 200-year first

In a set of solemn ceremonies, the emperor will abdicate in favour of 59-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito

In this Aug. 7, 2016, file photo, provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Emperor Akihito reads a message for recording at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Akihito expressed concern about fulfilling his duties as he ages in an address to the public in a 10-minute recorded speech broadcast on national television that was remarkable for its rarity and its hinted possibility that he may want to abdicate in a few years. Akihito is ending his three-decade reign Tuesday, April 30, 2019 as he abdicates to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, becoming the first to do so in 200 years, in a step nobody today has witnessed. AP

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attend the awarding ceremony of the Midori Academic Prize Friday, April 26, 2019, in Tokyo. AP

In this Oct. 1, 1960, file photo, Crown Prince Akihito is photographed while on a boat trip around Manhattan Island sight-seeing in New York. In the background is the Statue of Liberty. The Japanese royals were in New York as part of their state visit. When he abdicates April 30, 2019, Akihito will become the first emperor in Japan’s modern history to see his era end without ever having a war. AP

Japan's Prince Akihito and his bride, the former Michiko Shoda, acknowledge the cheers of Tokyo throngs as the royal carriage rolls through the city after their wedding, April 10, 1959. When he abdicates April 30, 2019, Akihito will become the first emperor in Japan’s modern history to see his era end without ever having a war. AP

Queen Elizabeth II, relaxing from the coronation ceremonies, is joined by Japan's heir apparent, Japan's Prince Akihito, in the royal box as they watch running of Epsom Derby at Britain's Epsom Downs, June 6, 1953. The Queen saw her horse, Aureole, run second in the classic. When he abdicates April 30, 2019, Akihito will become the first emperor in Japan’s modern history to see his era end without ever having a war. AP

In this Sept. 22, 1960, photo, Japanese Crown Prince Akihito and wife Princess Michiko arrive at the Honolulu Airport on the first leg of a tour of the USA. From left, Hawaii Governor William F. Quinn, Akihito, Princess Michiko and Admiral Harry D. Felt, U.S Pacific Commander. When he abdicates April 30, 2019, Akihito will become the first emperor in Japan’s modern history to see his era end without ever having a war. AP

In this Sept. 25, 1960, photo, Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko of Japan take the Mad Hatter's teacup' ride with Walt'Disney and his wife Lillian Disney at Disneyland in Los Angeles. The Japanese royals were in Los Angeles as part of their state visit. AP

In this Dec. 16, 1964, photo, Crown Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko of Japanese visit the Marble Temple in Bangkok. When he abdicates April 30, 2019, Akihito will become the first emperor in Japan’s modern history to see his era end without ever having a war. AP

This file photo taken on March 23, 1934 shows Japan's Emperor Akihito when he was three-months-old. Japan's outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP

In this file photo taken, probably in the late 30s early 40s, Emperor Hirohito (C) poses with 4 of his 5 children, Prince Akihito (2nd R) and his sisters Princess Shigeko of Teru, Princess Atsuko of Yori and Princess Kazuko of Taka. Japan's outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP

In this file photo taken in the 50s, Japan's Emperor Hirohito reads a newspaper next to Empress Kojun and Crown Prince Akihito (R) at the imperial Palace in Tokyo. Japan's outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP

This file photo taken in the 50s shows Prince Akihito posing on horseback at an unknown location. Japan's outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP

In this file photo taken in the 50s, Prince Akihito poses in an unknown location. Japan's outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP

In this file photo taken on February 10, 1971 Japan's Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko skate on the Makomanai speedway in Sapporo. Japan's outgoing Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko dramatically modernised the tradition-bound monarchy, bringing themselves closer to the public and boosting popular support for the household. AFP

A file photo dated 27 November 2017 shows Japan's Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko wave to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri after their meeting and welcoming ceremony for Grand Duke at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Emperor Akihito will abdicate on 30 April 2019 and Crown Prince Naruhito, first son of the Emperor and Empress will succeed Akihito and ascend the Chrysanthemum throne on 01 May 2019. It will be the first abdication by Japanese emperor in about two centuries. EPA

A file photo dated 23 December 2018 shows Japan's Emperor Akihito (R), flanked by Crown Prince Naruhito (L), waves to well-wishers after delivering his speech marking his 85th birthday, last his birthday on the throne, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Emperor Akihito will abdicate on 30 April 2019 and his son Naruhito will succeed on 01 May 2019. It will be the first abdication by Japanese emperor in about two centuries. EPA

In this file photo taken on April 8, 2019 Japan's Prince Hisahito (C) and his parents Prince Akishino (L) and Princess Kiko (R) pose for photos at Ochanomizu University junior high school before attending the entrance ceremony in Tokyo. AFP

Japan's Emperor Akihito prepared on Tuesday to become the country's first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years, handing the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son and ushering in a new imperial era.

In a set of solemn ceremonies, Emperor Akihito will abdicate in favour of 59-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, also kicking off the new imperial "Reiwa" era – meaning "beautiful harmony" – that will last throughout the new monarch's reign.

Japanese Emperor Akihito (R) walks after attending a rite of reporting at the Imperial Sanctuary (Kashikodokoro) on the day of the abdication ceremony, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, 30 April 2019. EPA

The ritual-bound process began on Tuesday morning with the emperor, dressed in expansive golden-brown robes and a towering black headpiece, "reporting" his abdication to his ancestors and the gods at several "sanctuaries" at the palace.

But the main event will be at precisely 5pm local time (0800 GMT), when the 85-year-old will formally step down in a 10-minute ceremony in the "Matsu no Ma" ("Room of Pine"), considered the most elegant hall in the sumptuous Imperial Palace.

The ritual will be conducted in the presence of the imperial regalia – an ancient sword and jewel – considered crucial evidence of an emperor's legitimacy.

However, Naruhito will not become emperor of Japan until the stroke of midnight and he will "inherit" the regalia at a second ceremony on Wednesday at 10:30am before making his first official public remarks shortly afterwards.

The ceremony was expected to be attended by just one woman – the sole female member of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet. Female royals are prohibited from participating.

The ceremonies will all take place behind closed doors, but small crowds had gathered outside the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Tuesday morning, despite clouds and rain.

"I'd like to thank the emperor for his hard work," said 76-year-old Hironari Uemara, visiting Tokyo from Okayama in western Japan.

His wife said she would miss Akihito and the outgoing imperial Heisei era.

"I feel like crying," she said.

The popular Akihito stunned Japan when he announced in 2016 that he wanted to give up the Chrysanthemum Throne, citing his age and health problems – he has been treated for prostate cancer and has also undergone heart surgery.

There have been abdications in Japan's long imperial history, which has mythological origins and stretches back more than two millennia, but the last one was more than two centuries ago.

A more lavish and public enthronement ceremony attended by world leaders will take place on October 22.

Akihito has sought to modernise the imperial family in Japan, which has a sensitive position given the role his father Hirohito played in the country's militaristic past.

He and his wife Empress Michiko won plaudits for a popular touch, notably comforting people affected by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown that devastated vast areas of east Japan and killed thousands.

Images of the couple kneeling and bowing to those in temporary shelters gave some heart to the stricken nation and Akihito took the rare step of giving a televised address to reassure his people.

Like his father, Crown Prince Naruhito is seen as a modern royal and has previously issued mild criticism of the sometimes stifling lifestyle imposed on royals, particularly as his wife Masako has struggled to adapt to imperial life and has long battled stress-induced illness.

The new emperor inherits a country very different to when it last crowned a new emperor.

In 1989, when Akihito ascended the throne, Japan ruled the world economically in the middle of a technology-fuelled boom that caused soaring land prices and sparked wild cost comparisons: the Imperial Palace grounds were worth more than all of Canada.

Now, Japan's population is in decline and it is on course to become the world's first "ultra-aged" society, with 28 per cent of people over 65.

The boom gave way to a "lost decade" of tepid economic growth and deflation from which Japan has not fully recovered.

The abdication has also reignited concerns about a potential succession crisis. There are no more eligible male heirs after the 12-year-old son of Naruhito's younger brother Akishino.

Japan's centuries-old succession would be broken if that son, Hisahito, does not have a male child. The idea of letting women ascend the throne is popular with Japanese, but vehemently opposed by traditionalists.

The historic abdication has resulted in an unprecedented 10-day holiday for the famously hard-working Japanese, as special days off to mark the new emperor combine with the traditional "Golden Week" celebrations in May.

As the holiday began over the weekend, bullet trains and airports were packed, but the exodus left the capital's commuter trains unusually empty.