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.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet on Friday signed off on an April 30, 2019 date for the octogenarian Akihito's retirement - the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in two centuries.
Akihito, who turns 84 on December 23, has spent much of his nearly three decades on the throne trying to heal the wounds of a war fought in his father Hirohito's name and highlighting the needs of the vulnerable in society. He said in August 2016 that he feared age would make it hard to fulfil his duties.
Naruhito, 57, is an advocate for environmental causes, and has taken part in international conferences on clean water.
"He is also very concerned about women's rights ... the idea of empowering women and giving them a position of dignity that goes beyond their place in the traditional world."
At one point, he shocked the public with his blunt defence of his wife from criticism and pressure, drawing a rebuke from his younger brother and sorrowful remarks from his father.
Akihito has only one grandson, 11-year-old Prince Hisahito.
(Additional reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Michael Perry)
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