Addressing the nation on his 84th birthday Saturday, Emperor Akihito thanked citizens for their consideration and efforts to enable his abdication on April 30, 2019, and vowed to fulfill his duties until the last day of his reign.
"I am truly grateful that numerous people have put their thoughts and efforts into the matter in their respective roles," with regard to his abdication, he said at a news conference earlier in the week.
"Over the remaining days, as I continue to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state, I would like to make preparations for passing the torch to the next era, together with the people concerned," he said.