Japan's Emperor Akihito will abdicate on April 30, 2019 at the age of 85.
The decision was made today at a meeting of the Imperial House Council, which was chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and included parliamentary leaders and imperial family members.
Akihito's elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the throne a day later,
It will be the first such departure from the Chrysanthemum Throne in about 200 years.
Akihito expressed his apparent wish to step down last August, citing his old age and poor health.■
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