559K views · 4K reactions | Japan's Emperor Akihito has abdicated, becoming the first emperor in modern times to do so. During the historic ceremony at Tokyo's Imperial Palace, he said: "From the bottom of my heart, I am grateful to the people of Japan. Starting tomorrow, the new Reiwa era begins." https://cnn.it/2GQu9gS | CNN | Facebook

▶️ Japan's Emperor Akihito walked down a corridor at the Imperial Palace grounds dressed in traditional robes on Tuesday, April 30, for a ritual ahead of his abdication. After the ritual, Akihito announced his abdication in favor of his elder son in a speech attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, ending a three-decade reign. 👉The Japanese emperor announced his abdication at a palace ceremony Tuesday in his final address, as the nation embraced the end of his reign with reminiscence and hope for