Emperor Akihito’s Abdication Ceremony to Take Place as State Act

February 20, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government decided Tuesday to hold an abdication ceremony for Emperor Akihito on April 30, 2019, as an act of the Emperor in matters of state performed on behalf of the people under the country's constitution.

The decision about the "Taiirei Seiden no Gi" ceremony was made at a meeting of the government's preparatory committee for ceremonies related to the 84-year-old Emperor's abdication.

In the ceremony, the prime minister will declare that Emperor Akihito steps down under the one-off abdication law, and the Emperor will deliver a speech.

Emperor Akihito is scheduled to abdicate on April 30, 2019, and Crown Prince Naruhito, the Emperor's eldest son, is set to accede to the throne on May 1 that year.

The government also decided that a ceremony will be held in 2020 as a state act of the new Emperor to proclaim that Prince Akishino, the second son of Emperor Akihito, is first in line to the throne following Crown Prince Naruhito's accession to the throne.

Details of the "Rikkoshi no Rei" proclamation ceremony for Prince Akishino are to be drawn up, based on the similar "Rittaishi no Rei" ceremony held for the current Crown Prince in February 1991.

Also at the preparatory committee meeting, the government decided to host a ceremony at National Theatre in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Feb. 24, 2019, to mark the 30th anniversary of Emperor Akihito's accession to the throne. Emperor Akihito acceded to the throne on Jan. 7, 1989.

The government plans to adopt a basic policy on abdication-related ceremonies in mid-March. Jiji Press