The Japanese Prime Minister made the announcement today, following a meeting held by the Imperial Household Council.
Ever since news of Emperor Akihito’s plans to abdicate the throne emerged in July last year, the Imperial Household Agency has refrained from making any official announcements about the reports, with the Emperor himself even skirting around the issue in his video message to the public last August.
At 9:46 a.m. today, however, the 10-member Imperial Household Council met at a special conference room at the Imperial Household Agency, where Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe listened to opinions and gave his government’s recommendations for the date of abdication.
Prime Minister Abe later spoke to the press, announcing that the date of abdication had been set for 30 April 2019.
The meeting, which was attended by members of the royal family, high-level Diet Members and top-ranking Imperial Household Agency officials, comes after the Japanese Government approved a special bill in April, allowing the reigning Emperor to abdicate the throne.
The bill, which specifically names the successor as Crown Prince Hironomiya Naruhito, makes this a one-time provision designed specifically for the current Emperor.
▼ Crown Prince Naruhito is pictured here with his wife Masako and their daughter Aiko.
https://twitter.com/hkuspcoltgo1/status/804318945205288960As Japan’s first abdication in nearly two centuries, this historic event will also bring an end to the country’s current Heisei Era, which, in keeping with the Japanese calendar system, began when Emperor Akihito took to the throne 29 years ago, following his father’s death in 1989.
Following today’s announcement, Prime Minister Abe will inform the Cabinet of the Imperial Household Council’s decision on 5 December, with the Cabinet expected to make the 30 April abdication date official by law on 8 December.
Akihito will be succeeded by his eldest son, 57-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito the day after abdication, on 1 May 2019, with the official name of the new era expected to be announced sometime next summer.
Source: Mainichi Shimbun via Otakomu
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons/William Ng
Japanese Emperor abdication date revealed by government officials in new report
Japanese Emperor’s abdication date to be decided next month, expected later than initial reports
Emperor of Japan abdicates throne, issues final imperial statement to people of Japan【Video】
End of the Heisei Era: Japanese government to announce new era name on 1 April
Confusion as Imperial official denies rumors that Japan’s Emperor Akihito plans to step down
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Uniqlo Ukiyo-e Blue T-shirts: A cool-hued reinterpretation of some of Japan’s greatest paintings
Once you hear this lady sing “Yooooooghurppe”, you may never stop hearing it
Has China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning shortened queues at this Ichiran ramen restaurant in Tokyo?
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Hokkaido man found naked in laundromat in middle of the night
Upskirt umbrellas are now a thing in Japan
With Title “Happiest Place on Earth” Already Taken, Amusement Park on Cebu Island Makes Its Claim to Be the Sleepiest
Japanese netizens vote for the top 20 anime they want an on-air sequel to
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan announces new era name, Reiwa, but what does it mean and why was it chosen?
Japan’s new emperor ascends to throne, makes first speech with wish for peace, happiness
Christian groups in Japan criticize emperor’s ascension ceremony as violation of constitution
Emperor Akihito hints at abdication of throne in new video message
The one-year countdown officially begins for the end of the Heisei Era
J-Pop singer to perform song written and composed by the emperor and empress at upcoming ceremony
Donald Trump will probably be the first foreign leader to meet with Japan’s new emperor
Prime Minster Abe tells Trump that imperial succession is “100 times bigger” than the Super Bowl
How do you say “Happy New Era” in Japanese?
Japanese Christian groups hold press conference to protest emperor’s enthronement ceremony
Twitter users say Japanese Prime Minister’s name is hiding in the kanji for Japan’s new era name
Japanese Emperor donates 100 million yen of his private spending money to charities
Reiwa era gets anthropomorphised into a Japanese anime girl by otaku artists
Four new era names the Japanese government rejected before deciding on Reiwa
Man jumps off bridge in Osaka to celebrate Heisei era’s end, hits something other than water【Vid】
Leave a Reply