Akihito to become first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years

Octogenarian monarch will step down in April 2019, heralding start of new imperial era led by his eldest son, Naruhito

The Japanese emperor Akihito is to abdicate on 30 April 2019, aged 85, in the first such departure from the Chrysanthemum throne in about 200 years, the government has said.

Akihito’s eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the throne a day later, beginning an as-yet-unnamed era.

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from The Guardian http://ift.tt/2i5HwO7