World Now
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links.
Feb. 17, 2012
World & Nation
Japan’s Emperor Akihito, marking his 85th birthday — his last before his upcoming abdication — said he feels relieved that his reign is coming to an end without having seen his country at war and that it is important to keep telling younger people about his nation’s wartime history.
Dec. 22, 2018
On Tuesday, Japan’s 85-year-old Emperor Akihito was scheduled to end his reign and hand the seat of the longest-running monarchy in the world to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito.
April 29, 2019
Japan’s 85-year-old Emperor Akihito became the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in more than 200 years on Tuesday, ending his three-decade reign and making way for his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, to take the imperial throne.
April 30, 2019
Nov. 19, 2011
Emperor Akihito addresses the Japanese with unusual directness amounting to an imperial pep talk. He insists that the broadcaster interrupt his recorded speech if there are key developments in the crisis.
March 14, 2014
Wearing the white silk robes of a high Shinto priest, Japan’s Emperor Akihito communed Thursday night with his mythical ancestor, the Sun Goddess, in a torchlight enthronement ritual that was clouded by controversy over the constitutional separation of religion and state.
Nov. 23, 1990
Long before he became the Japanese figurehead, before he shattered centuries of tradition by marrying a commoner and certainly long before he ever dreamed of abdicating his throne, the man who would become Emperor Akihito did something else unusual.
Aug. 8, 2016
Emperor Akihito made it clear Thursday that his unprecedented six-day trip to China beginning next week will emphasize the present, not the past.
Oct. 16, 1992
On Monday afternoon in Tokyo, Japanese Emperor Akihito plans to release a rare video message to the public.
Aug. 6, 2016