In Photos: The last day of the Heisei era

Emperor Akihito, center, reads his final statement, watched by Empress Michiko, right, at the "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony in the "Matsu-no-ma" room at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito completes the "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito attends a ceremony called "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito attends a ceremony called "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" at the Imperial Palace to mark the end of his reign, on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito attends a ceremony called "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito attends a ceremony called "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito steps out after the "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito completes the "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" ceremony at the Imperial Palace on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito completes the "Taiirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi" ceremony at the Imperial Palace on the morning of April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Crown Prince Naruhito, who assumes the role of Emperor from May 1, enters the Imperial Palace by car from the Hanzomon gate, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Prince Akishino, the second son of Emperor Akihito and second in line to the throne, and his wife Princess Kiko are seen entering the Imperial Palace via the Hanzomon gate by car, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Princess Mako and Princess Kako, Prince Akishino's daughters, are seen arriving at the Imperial Palace through the Hanzomon gate by car, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako enter the Imperial Palace by car to attend the "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Yuki Miyatake)

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, left, and Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, right, assemble before the beginning of the "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony in the "Matsu no Ma" room of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

The Imperial Regalia of Japan are presented before the beginning of Emperor Akihito's "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony in the "Matsu-no-ma" room at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and others are seen before the beginning of the "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony in the "Matsu no Ma" room of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivers an address at the "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony in the "Matsu-no-ma" room at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Toshiki Miyama)

Emperor Akihito reads his final statement at the "Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi" abdication ceremony in the "Matsu-no-ma" room at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Pool photo)

Crowds of people watch a big-screen live broadcast of Emperor Akihito's abdication on a street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Toshiki Miyama)

Crowds of people endure rain to watch a live broadcast of Emperor Akihito's abdication ceremony on a big screen on a street in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward, on April 30, 2019. (Mainichi/Toshiki Miyama)