Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet on Friday formally approved April 30, 2019, as the abdication date for Emperor Akihito, which will end the current Heisei era in its 31st year.

The Emperor's elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, will accede to the Chrysanthemum Throne the next day, May 1, in what will be the country's first accession by a living Emperor since 1817.

The final approval by the Cabinet was made a week after the abdication date was agreed upon by a meeting of the Imperial House Council, which was chaired by Abe and involved Diet leaders, the judiciary and Imperial family members.