Akihito

Following the announcement by Denmark's Queen Margrethe II of her plans to relinquish the throne, AFP looks at other memorable abdications over the past century.

Japan's former empress Michiko "safely" underwent surgery on Sunday after the 84-year-old was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Japan's former empress Michiko has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and will soon undergo surgery, the Imperial Household Agency (IHA) said on Friday.

A new era dawned in Japan on Wednesday as Naruhito officially became emperor at midnight following his father's historic abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest monarchy.

Outgoing Japanese emperor Akihito on Tuesday performed the main ritual to hand over the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito -- Japan's first abdication in more than two centuries.

Japanese Emperor Akihito will abdicate on Tuesday in favour of his elder son, ending a three-decade reign during which he sought to ease the painful memories of World War Two and engage with people, including the marginalised in society.

Japanese police on Monday arrested a 56-year-old man in connection with two paring knives found at the school desk of Prince Hisahito, grandson of Emperor Akihito, local media reported.

The boyfriend of Japan's Princess Mako insisted Tuesday his family had no financial difficulties hanging over them, after reports of a unpaid loan apparently forced a postponement to a fairytale wedding between the two college sweethearts.

Japan's Crown Princess Masako on Sunday pledged to do her best despite feeling 'insecure' about becoming empress in mere months, in a candid statement released on her 55th birthday.

The abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito next year will be quite literally the end of an era, the Heisei era of his rule, and behind closed doors, talks on the next era have begun

Japanese Emperor Akihito cancelled his public duties after suffering dizziness and nausea due to cerebral anemia, a condition caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain, a palace official said on Monday.

Japan's Oxford-educated crown prince, Naruhito, looks set to bring a more global outlook to the ancient imperial institution while carrying on Emperor Akihito's legacy of promoting peace and reconciliation with Asia when he ascends the throne in 2019.

Shinzo Abe said he was "deeply moved" at the "smooth decision" taken after a special meeting of the Imperial Council to decide on the date for the popular 83-year-old to step down for health reasons.

Japan's Emperor Akihito is likely to abdicate at the end of March 2019 and Crown Prince Naruhito is expected to ascend the throne in April, the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries, the Asahi newspaper reported on Friday

Japan's 83 year old Emperor Akihito recently expressed his desire to step down from his position. In response the Japanese parliament passed a law to allow for the first imperial abdication in Japan in more than two centuries. These are five things to know about the Japanese royals.

Following the announcement by Denmark's Queen Margrethe II of her plans to relinquish the throne, AFP looks at other memorable abdications over the past century.

Japan's former empress Michiko "safely" underwent surgery on Sunday after the 84-year-old was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Japan's former empress Michiko has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and will soon undergo surgery, the Imperial Household Agency (IHA) said on Friday.

A new era dawned in Japan on Wednesday as Naruhito officially became emperor at midnight following his father's historic abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne, the world's oldest monarchy.

Outgoing Japanese emperor Akihito on Tuesday performed the main ritual to hand over the Chrysanthemum Throne to his son Naruhito -- Japan's first abdication in more than two centuries.

Japanese Emperor Akihito will abdicate on Tuesday in favour of his elder son, ending a three-decade reign during which he sought to ease the painful memories of World War Two and engage with people, including the marginalised in society.

Japanese police on Monday arrested a 56-year-old man in connection with two paring knives found at the school desk of Prince Hisahito, grandson of Emperor Akihito, local media reported.

The boyfriend of Japan's Princess Mako insisted Tuesday his family had no financial difficulties hanging over them, after reports of a unpaid loan apparently forced a postponement to a fairytale wedding between the two college sweethearts.

Japan's Crown Princess Masako on Sunday pledged to do her best despite feeling 'insecure' about becoming empress in mere months, in a candid statement released on her 55th birthday.

The abdication of Japan's Emperor Akihito next year will be quite literally the end of an era, the Heisei era of his rule, and behind closed doors, talks on the next era have begun

Japanese Emperor Akihito cancelled his public duties after suffering dizziness and nausea due to cerebral anemia, a condition caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain, a palace official said on Monday.

Japan's Oxford-educated crown prince, Naruhito, looks set to bring a more global outlook to the ancient imperial institution while carrying on Emperor Akihito's legacy of promoting peace and reconciliation with Asia when he ascends the throne in 2019.

Shinzo Abe said he was "deeply moved" at the "smooth decision" taken after a special meeting of the Imperial Council to decide on the date for the popular 83-year-old to step down for health reasons.

Japan's Emperor Akihito is likely to abdicate at the end of March 2019 and Crown Prince Naruhito is expected to ascend the throne in April, the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries, the Asahi newspaper reported on Friday

Japan's 83 year old Emperor Akihito recently expressed his desire to step down from his position. In response the Japanese parliament passed a law to allow for the first imperial abdication in Japan in more than two centuries. These are five things to know about the Japanese royals.