Japan’s Emperor Akihito (Source: AFP/VNA)
About 126,720 well-wishers attended, the largest number of visitors to the Imperial Palace for his New Year address since he ascended to the throne in 1989.
“At the beginning of the new year, I pray for happiness for the people of our country and the world,” the Emperor said.
Accompanied by his wife Empress Michiko and other members of the imperial family, the Emperor said he hopes "people will lead calm and spiritually rich lives this year," as he waved to the crowd from behind the windows of the palace.
Earlier, on last December 5th, Mr. Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary, formally reported to the Cabinet that Japan’s Emperor Akihito will abdicate in April 2019 at the age of 86.
Emperor Akihito’s elder son Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, will be the country’s 126th Emperor a day later, on May 1st next year, beginning a new era.
The 85-year-old man had said last year that his age and health would make it difficult to fulfil his duties.
Akihito, who was born in December 1933, has been suffering health problems in recent years, including heart surgery and treatment for cancer, which he addressed in his 2016 speech.
Japanese Emperor Akihito ascended to the throne after the death in 1989 of his father Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa.
The last time a Japanese Emperor abdicated was in 1817./.