Japan’s emperor Akihito abdicates with message of love
Akihito has become the country’s first monarch to give up the chrysanthemum throne in two centuries. Japan’s emperor Akihito has called his 30-year reign a blessing and thanked the people of Japan for their support as he became the country’s first monarch to abdicate in two centuries. Speaking at a brief ceremony in the state room of the imperial palace a day before his eldest son, Naruhito, takes his place as the new occupant of the chrysanthemum throne, the 85-year-old Akihito said he had spent the 30 years of his reign performing his duties with “deep respect and love for the people”. “That has been a great blessing,” he said, before offering his “heartfelt gratitude to the people of Japan who accepted me as the symbol of the state and supported me”. He said he hoped the country’s future would be a “stable and fruitful one, and pray with all my heart for peace and for the happiness of people in Japan and around the world”. Akihito, who expressed a desire to abdicate