Watch Japan's 'much loved' emperor abdicate the throne

Emperor Akihito on Tuesday became the first Japanese emperor to abdicate since 1817.

In a brief ceremony at the Imperial Palace, Akihito, accompanied by his wife Empress Michiko, thanked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and delivered a short speech. "Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself fortunate to have been able to do so," he said.

Akihito is a "much-loved" figure in Japan and humanized the role of emperor by reaching out to vulnerable members of Japanese society and looking ordinary people in the eye when speaking with them, The Washington Post reports. Before Akihito, emperors were seen as gods in Japan. The emperor has also received praise for acknowledging Japan's wartime past and encouraging the rest of the country to do so, as well.

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The 85-year-old Akihito stepped down after his duties as ceremonial head of state became too onerous for him. He will be replaced by his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, who formally takes the Chrysanthemum Throne in a ceremony on Wednesday.