A new imperial era is dawning in the land of the rising sun. At midnight , Tokyo time, the reign of Japan's Emperor Akihito formally came to an end, with his abdication - just as he had wished.
It is two centuries since the last imperial abdication.
Akihito is handing over to his son, Naruhito.
Over the course of 30 years Akihito reshaped what it meant to be emperor - swapping near god-like status for a closeness to his people.
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