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Akihito is the first Japanese emperor to resign in more than 200 years
The Emperor of Japan, Akihito, declared his abdication at a historic ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
In his last speech as Emperor, Akihito handed over the symbols of power and thanked the public for his support during his 30-year reign.
The 85-year-old player was given permission to abdicate after stating that he felt unable to play his role because of his declining age and health status.
He is the first Japanese monarch to resign in more than 200 years.
Crown Prince Naruhito will rise to the throne on Wednesday, ushering in a new era – called Reiwa – in Japan's unique calendar.
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Although the emperor does not hold any political power, he serves as a national figurehead.
The reign of Akihito was marked by his interactions with people suffering from diseases and disasters, which pleased the Japanese very much.
What happened at the abdication ceremony?
In the morning, the emperor took part in a Shinto ceremony to share his projects with the mythological ancestors of the imperial family of Japan.
The main "abdication ceremony" was held in a hall of the Imperial Palace in front of about 300 people, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako.
The imperial chamberlains brought in the hall the state seals and private seals, accompanied by a sacred sword and a jewel, symbols of the imperial family.
At a short ceremony, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addressed the Emperor in these terms: "While keeping the path taken by the Emperor, we will make every effort to create a bright future for a proud Japan, full of peace and hope. "
Then, in his last speech, Akihito, clad in a Western-style cloak, declared that he "wished Japan and the world, peace and prosperity".
"I am deeply grateful to the people who have accepted me as a symbol and who have supported me," he said.
"At the same time as the Empress Wife, I hope with all my heart that the Reiwa era will be peaceful and fruitful, and I hereby pray for the welfare and happiness of our country and all the peoples of the world. "
After helping his wife, Empress Michiko, to go down the stairs of the ceremonial tribune, the emperor bowed to the officials gathered and then left the room.
He will remain technically emperor until midnight.
On Wednesday morning Crown Prince Naruhito will inherit imperial treasures and badume the throne.
Why did the emperor decide to abdicate?
Aged 85, he had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003 and heart bypbad surgery in 2012.
In a rare speech in 2016, he expressed concern that his age would make it difficult for him in the performance of his duties and strongly hinted that he wished to withdraw.
Opinion polls showed that the vast majority of Japan had sympathized with the emperor and that a year later, the Parliament had enacted a law making possible its abdication.
Who is the incoming emperor?
Prince Naruhito will become the 126th Emperor of Japan – and will officially lead the country into the new Reiwa era. This will mark the end of the present Heisei era, which began when Akihito ascended the throne in 1989.
A graduate of the University of Oxford, 59, he is married to Crown Princess Masako. Their only daughter, Princess Aiko, was born in 2001.
The current Japanese law prohibits women from inheriting the throne, so the uncle of Princess Aiko, Prince Fumihito, is now in the front line, followed by her cousin, Prince Hisahito, aged 12 years.
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