Emperor Akihito spoke of his hopes for world peace Wednesday in the final New Year's address of his reign, with a record 154,800 well-wishers visiting the Imperial Palace during the course of the day.
"I hope this year will be a good year for as many people as possible," said the Emperor, who waved to the crowd with his wife, Empress Michiko, and other members of the Imperial family from behind bullet-proofed glass on a balcony of the palace. "At the beginning of the year, I pray for the peace and happiness of the people of our country and the world."
On April 30, the 85-year-old Emperor will become the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in about two centuries after indicating in 2016 a wish to retire, citing concerns that he might not be able to fulfill his official duties due to his advancing age.