Emperor of Japan begins first rituals for abdication
14th March 2019
Emperor Akihito of Japan, 85, has begun a series of rituals leading up to his abdication at the end of next month.
The first of these ceremonies took place on Tuesday, 12 March at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo at the three imperial sanctuaries.
The retiring Emperor wore an ancient court costume for his visits to Kashikodokoro, Koreiden and Shinden. At the first shrine, he bowed and read an…