RELIGION

Emperor performs ritual to report abdication to Shinto gods

Associated Press
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Japanese Emperor Akihito, second right, visits Ise Grand Shrine, or Ise Jingu, in Ise, central Japan Thursday, April 18, 2019. This is the last trip to a local region for emperor and empress before emperor's abdication.(Kazushi Kurihara/Kyodo News via AP)

Japan's Emperor Akihito sits as Empress Michiko waves from a car on their way to visiting Ise Grand Shrine, or Ise Jingu, in Ise, central Japan, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. (Kyodo News via AP)

Emperor Akihito is praying at a Japanese shrine in a ritual to report his upcoming abdication to the Shinto gods.

The 85-year-old emperor will retire on April 30 in the first abdication in 200 years and a rarity in Japan's ancient imperial history.

Crown Prince Naruhito will succeed to the Chrysanthemum throne May 1.

Akihito performed the "Shinetsu no Gi" ritual at Ise Shrine in western Japan on Thursday as part of the succession process.

Television footage showed Akihito in a tuxedo heading into the shrine, with palace officials holding up two imperial treasures — sword and jewel. The third, a mirror, is kept at the shrine. His daughter and head shrine priest, Sayako Kuroda, also attended.

The regalia, or three treasures, will be handed to Naruhito after his succession.