FINAL BOW
Japanese Emperor Akihito begins historic abdication rituals as he becomes first to give up throne in 200 years
JAPAN’S ailing Emperor Akihito has taken part in a historic abdication ritual – the first time the nation's ruler has stood down since 1817.
The much-loved “People’s Emperor”, 85, donned traditional gold robes and tall black headdress as he told temple gods he is retiring after three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne.
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Entering the main Shrine of Kashikodokoro, Akihito has this morning told Shinto gods that he is being replaced tomorrow by his 59-year-old son, Crown Prince Naruhito.
The shine is where the goddess Amaterasu, said to be the direct ancestress of the imperial family, is enshrined. Only part of Akihito's shrine ritual was released to the public, reports the Associated Press.
Akihito has also announced his retirement in front of fellow members of the royal family, including Princess Mako and Princess Kako.
His many fans have been braving rain to gather outside the palace compound, despite unseasonably wet and cold weather – and the fact that they are banned from watching proceedings inside.
Akemi Yamauchi, 55, said: "We came because today is the last day of (the emperor's era of) Heisei, and we feel nostalgic."
Her husband, Kaname, added: "We like the current emperor. He has worked hard for the people, he is very thoughtful, and kind to everyone."
reports that the monarch was "born the son of a deity, but he's retiring as the people's Emperor".
Emperor Akihito is stepping down after undergoing heart surgery and overcoming prostate cancer.
Three years ago he admitted fears about his health, saying: "I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being, as I have done until now."
STRONG INTEREST IN GOBY FISH
Japan's government thus changed the law to allow him to retire - making it the first time in 202 years that a Japanese emperor is ceding his place on the imperial throne.
During his 30-year reign, when he wasn't busy carrying out his official duties, the Emperor published scientific papers on Japanese raccoon dogs after studying their faeces, which he collected from the Imperial Palace over a five-year period.
He wanted to learn more about their dietary habits, reports the .
Akihito also has a strong interest in goby fish and has authored more than 30 articles on them.
The points out that the "down-to-earth" monarch's love of the fish was fostered as a child, "due to the influence of his father Hirohito who made a lifelong study of a group of jellyfish-like creatures called hydrozoa".
Akihito's reign officially ends at midnight tonight, when his son Crown Prince Naruhito becomes new emperor and his era begins.
Naruhito will then ascend the Chrysanthemum throne on Wednesday.
OLDEST CONTINUOUS MONARCH IN THE WORLD
In a separate ceremony, he will inherit the Imperial regalia of sword and jewel as well as Imperial seals as proof of his succession as the nation's 126th emperor, according to the palace count, which historians say could include mythical figures until around the fifth century.
Writing for , Constantine Vaporis, professor of history at the University of Maryland, says that many Japanese hope that his replacement, younger royals, can update Japan's ancient Chrysanthemum Throne.
Vaporis adds: "Changing a 14-century-old monarchy to reflect the times will not be easy.
"Japan has the oldest continuous monarchy in the world."
Akihito is part of a lengthy royal line of succession officially founded in the seventh century.
According to Japanese legend, the Chrysanthemum Throne dates back 2,600 years, to the country's founding in 660 BC by Emperor Jimmu, a descendant of the Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu, says Vaporis.
Akihito will be known as the emperor emeritus and will no longer have official duties after he abdicates.
He's expected to enjoy his retirement, going to museums and concerts, or spending time on his goby research at a seaside Imperial villa.
How did Emperor Akihito become the 'people's Emperor'
Akihito, 85, took the throne in 1989, taking over following the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.
His dad was revered as a human deity and was reigning when Japan officially entered the Second World War, in 1940.
Post-1945, the role was stripped of any political power, and changed to become a "symbol of the state and unity of the people".
"People were expected to worship the emperor and that changed completely after the Second World War," Michael Watson, Meiji Gakuin University, told ABC News.
For example, Emperor Akihito was seen "kneeling down and talking to victims who were displaced after the [Fukushima] tsunami, or who suffered radiation sickness.
"It's a bit like in England with Princess Diana going to the AIDS hospital - it had the same symbolic importance for people that they are willing to do this," said Watson.
Akihito was the first emperor to marry a commoner, one of many changes he brought to the palace.
The couple also chose to raise their three children instead of leaving them with palace staff, and decided to be cremated upon their deaths in a smaller tomb side-by-side, also a tradition-breaking step.
Alongside his wife, Empress Michiko, he reached out to the man in the street, especially those who faced handicaps and discrimination, as well as those hit by disasters, which struck a chord with people.
Such respect did not come overnight, however.
Japan Today says that, while on the throne, the emperor ofen travelled with the empress to areas hit by calamities, including sites linked to the Second World War at home and overseas, paying tribute to those who died while fighting on behalf of his father.
Akihito grew up during the Second World War and was 11 when his father Hirohito announced the end of the war on radio.
He embraced his role as peacemaker and often represented his father on reconciliatory missions as young crown prince, decades before he became emperor himself.
Akihito visited China in 1992 and offered what was considered the strongest expression of regret over the war.
He has also visited the Philippines and other Pacific islands conquered by Japan that were devastated in fierce fighting as the US-led allies took them back.
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