Monarchies Today - Royalty around the globe: "Praying for peace & happiness" - EMPEROR AKIHITO ABDICATES the Chrysanthemum throne

The only Sovereign Emperor in the world has officially 'declared his abdication' after 30 years on the throne. Akihito of Japan's reign, also known as the Heisei period will be concluded at midnight. His elder son, Naruhito will succeed him tomorrow.

The abdication ceremony was held earlier today at 5pm (local time) at the Pine Room (Matsu-no-Miya) of Tokyo's Imperial palace.

It was attended by the adult members of Japanese Imperial family, & some 300 members of the government, parliament, or judges.

The 85-year-old Emperor was accompanied by his wife of 60 years, Empress Michiko, 84, to a specially escalated platform with two thrones. They didn't seat, but had two of the three Imperial regalia, packed & placed on wooden bases, on the platform's left & right.

Japanese Imperial Regalia

Royal & state seals were also placed nearby. The Imperial regalia present - a sword (kusanagi) & jewel (Yasakani no Magatama) - will be handed over to Crown Prince Naruhito, symbolizing his accession. The third, mirror (Yata no Kagami), is permanently kept at Ise Grand Shrine, while special prayers will be offered to it.

During this Taiirei-Seiden-no-gi ceremony, broadcasted live on Japanese TV & taking only ~10 minutes, the Prime Minister (Shinzo Abe) expressed gratitude to His Imperial Majesty's reign on behalf od the people. He mentioned his close ties with the people during Heisei era & said his way of live will always inspire them.

Then Emperor Akihito delivered his (barely 2-minute-long) final throne speech. He thanked the people who accepted him as 'symbol of the state', during his 30 years of 'wholehearted dedication'. He concluded wishing peace for the next, Reiwa Period, & praying for "peace & happiness for all the people in Japan & around the world".

Thus the abdication was considered declared, and after an exchange of bows with the officials, the Imperial family departed (in order of seniority).

Earlier the same day (Tuesday, April 30, 2019), Emperor Akihito participated to his final pre-abdication ritual at the palace's three sanctuaries.

He visited them (dressed in a traditional robe) & reported his upcoming abdication ceremony to his ancestral Imperial spirits.

Though it has been a rainy day, people from across Japan gathered from early on outside the palace gardens, in an attempt to take a glimpse of this historic ocassion. In ocassion of the Imperial transition, the so-called Golden week (in Japan), occuring these days & containing numerous national holidays, was expanded to ten days of public holidays (from April 27 to May 6).

Japanese traditionally associate the change of an imperial era with a renewal for their country, & aspire for something better for the new period (which is also used in numbering of the years in calendar).

For example, Heisei period has been the first ever in Japan without a war. However it faced an economic bubble collapse, & serious tragedies due to natural disasters. So currently many hope to avoid that in future. The Reiwa era's beginning is already counting down.

Crown Prince Naruhito, 59, who will assume Chrysanthemum throne at the stroke of midnight, will have two short accession ceremonies tomorrow morning (reported in tomorrow's post).

He will first appear to the public as the 126th Emperor of Japan on Saturday, May 4, while his traditional enthronement ceremony is scheduled to take place on October 22, amid state celebrations.

He & his wife, Crown Princess Masako, 55, will move to the Imperial palace, while the retired Imperial Couple (to be known as Emperor Emeritus & Empress Emerita), will have a temporary stay to Tokyo's Takanawa Imperial Residence, & then relocate to former Crown Prince's Togu residence (to be renamed Sento Imperial Palace), in Akasaka Estate, after a series of renowations.