Japan’s Emperor Akihito, who will abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne and hand it to his son next year, was showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year’s well-wishers Tuesday at the Imperial Palace.
TOKYO (AP) — Japan ’s Emperor Akihito, who will abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne and hand it to his son next year, was showered with cheers from tens of thousands of New Year ’s well-wishers Tuesday at the Imperial Palace.
“Happy New Year,” the 84-year-old emperor said from a balcony. “I wish that this year will prove a gentle and spiritually fulfilling one for as many people as possible.”
Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Masako, appeared at the emperor’s side. Masako, a former diplomat, has suffered from stress and has often skipped public events, and it’s unclear how she will manage her new role as empress.
The number of well-wishers totaled 126,720, up from 97,000 last year and a record for Akihito ’s reign, known as the era of Heisei, according to the Imperial Household Agency. A new emperor next year means Japan will enter another era, whose name will be selected with great fanfare.
Emperors have rarely abdicated in Japan, the last time being 200 years ago. Akihito ’s father, wartime Emperor Hirohito, died in 1989 of an illness.
Akihito ’s abdication was set last month for April 30,2019, after he expressed his wish to retire because of his age and health concerns.
