Japan's Emperor Akihito to abdicate on April 30, 2019

TOKYO (Reuters) - Emperor Akihito, who has spent much of his nearly three decades on Japan's throne seeking to soothe the wounds of World War Two, will step down on April 30, 2019 - the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in about two centuries.

from Reuters: Top News http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-japan-emperor-panel/japans-emperor-akihito-to-abdicate-on-april-30-2019-idUKKBN1DV3IA?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews