Japanese Emperor Akihito announced his abdication at a palace ceremony Tuesday in his final address, as the nation embraced the end of his reign with reminiscence and hope for a new era. His reign runs through midnight when his son Crown Prince Naruhito becomes new emperor and his era begins. On Tuesday, people visited the outer garden of the Imperial Palace. A police officer works with his sniffer dog in a tent outside the Imperial Palace on Monday. Japan's 85-year-old Emperor Akihito ends his three-decade reign on Tuesday and his son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday.

Source: CBC News April 30, 2019 07:30 UTC