Japan's Emperor Akihito to step down in April 2019
Tokyo, Dec 1 (IBNS): Japanese Emperor Akihito is set to step down in April 2019, ending his 30-year-old rule, media reports said.
He will immediately be succeeded by Crown Prince Naruhito on May 1, 2019.
Akihito is the first Japanese Emperor in 200 years to abdicate.
A one-off bill was passed for his abdication this year after the Emperor told the nation that he was finding it difficult to carry out his duties, owing to his age and waning reflexes.
The 83-year-old monarch took over the throne following his father Emperor Hirohito's death.
Emperor Akihito is presently undergoing a prostrate cancer treatment.
The Japanese Emperor has no political powers, but is expected to perform several national duties, including greeting other heads of state.
Image: Wikipedia
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