Japan's head of state Akihito hands over his statement to the grand chamberlain during the ceremony of his abdication at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Tuesday, April 30, 2019. The 85-year-old Akihito ends his three-decade reign on Tuesday. Japan Pool via The Associated Press
TOKYO — Japanese head of state Akihito announced his abdication at a palace ceremony on April 30 in his final address, as the nation embraced the end of his reign with reminiscence and hope for a new era.
As he walked out of the room following his speech and officials were taking away the imperial regalia in a box, Akihito turned around, paused and bowed to the audience.
