Top news
A Princess in a Cage
By Motoko Rich
The key ceremonies in Japan's Imperial succession
Emperor Akihito becomes first Japanese monarch to abdicate in 200 years
By Yoko Wakatsuki, Emiko Jozuka & Julia Hollingsworth
All coverage
How Emperor Akihito’s ‘love match’ won over Japan
By Yoko Wakatsuki & Stephy Chung
Japan's emperor Akihito abdicates with message of love
By Justin Mccurry
Japan's emperor prays for peace in first abdication in 200 years
By Linda Sieg & Kiyoshi Takenaka
Akihito: The Japanese emperor with the human touch
By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
Emperor Naruhito is ready to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. What can Japan expect from its new ruler?
By Emiko Jozuka, Julia Hollingsworth & Euan Mckirdy